Palestinian meetings with London mayor off after boycott comments

11 November 2015, 8:37 pm

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London Mayor Boris Johnson’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories hit a glitch Wednesday as meetings with Palestinians were called off after offending supporters of a boycott of the Jewish state.

The mayor earlier this week dismissed those who support the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign, known by its BDS initials, as “corduroy-jacketed lefty academics,” comments which caused anger on Palestinian social media.

A number of Palestinian groups then refused to meet him while he was also informed his comments had led to additional security risks if he were to visit the West Bank, Johnson’s office said.

His meeting with Palestinian prime minister Rami Hamdallah, however, went ahead as planned.

— AFP