British Jews Give Thumbs Up to New UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
by Algemeiner Staff
British Jewish organizations welcomed the country’s new Conservative Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to his first day in office with warm statements of support.
“We wish Boris Johnson every success as Prime Minister at this critical time for our country,” Marie van der Zyl — President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews — said in a statement on Tuesday. “We have had a long and positive relationship with Mr Johnson as both Mayor of London and Foreign Secretary and we look forward to this continuing as he enters Downing Street.”
A statement from Conservative Friends of Israel emphasized Johnson’s sympathy for the Jewish state.
“CFI would like to warmly congratulate Boris Johnson on becoming the UK’s next Prime Minister,” the group said in a statement. “From his refusal to boycott Israeli goods in his time as Mayor of London, through to his instrumental role as Foreign Secretary in both the landmark Balfour Declaration celebrations and the first-ever official Royal visit to Israel, Boris has a long history of standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel and the Jewish community.”
The statement concluded: “Mr Johnson continued to display his resolute support throughout the Leadership Contest, with a memorable hustings event with CFI and an excellent letter penned to CFI’s supporters reiterating his deep support for Israel and pledging to be a ‘champion for Jews in Britain and around the world.’ CFI looks forward to working with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his new Government to take the deep UK-Israel relationship from strength to strength.”
Johnson, who replaces Theresa May as Prime Minister after winning the election to replace her as leader of the governing Conservative Party, pledged on Tuesday to reunite the country, defeat Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in an eventual election and deliver on Brexit — the UK’s departure from the European Union — by the deadline of Oct. 31.
A host of Israeli politicians including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to Twitter to offer Johnson their congratulations.
Heartfelt congratulations from Jerusalem, @BorisJohnson. Looking forward to working closely together, both in facing our common challenges and seizing the opportunities ahead. ???? pic.twitter.com/YeIc5qyxcL
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) July 23, 2019
Congratulations and good luck to my good friend @BorisJohnson. I’m sure that as Prime Minister you will continue to strengthen the relationship between our two countries. pic.twitter.com/5uAQFd9M9x
— יאיר לפיד Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) July 23, 2019
21 I congratulate @BorisJohnson on his victory and wish him great success.
The UK and Israel share a longstanding tradition of cooperation, common interests, and shared values.— בני גנץ – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) July 23, 2019