DUBAI: Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the Palestinian people in Gaza “deserve the state they’ve been promised for decades”, calling the ongoing crisis a “failure of governance.”
Speaking at the World Governments Summit (WGS), Johnson addressed key geopolitical issues, including the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as global leadership. When asked about suggestions of resettling Palestinians in Jordan and Egypt, he dismissed the idea, stating, “The crisis in Gaza has no easy solution. It is an absolute tragedy.”
He emphasised that “the suffering of the people of Gaza needs to end, and the hostages need to come back,” but also warned that “Gaza cannot continue to be ruled by a government that wants to exterminate Israel.”
On Ukraine, Johnson noted that the new US administration’s stance is encouraging, preventing what he called a potential “capitulation to Putin.” Expressing confidence in Donald Trump, he said, “I don’t think the US could ever abandon Ukraine. The solution is about identity and destiny, not just geography.”
Discussing US leadership, Johnson asserted, “The world is better when America is strong. Trump is capable of providing that leadership.” He urged swift action, saying, “The new presidency is on the clock. They’ve got to move fast to achieve things.”
Reflecting on his tenure, he defended his government’s approach to Brexit and COVID-19 response, while criticising excessive public spending. “We are spending far too much taxpayer money without achieving our objectives,” he said.
As for his political future, Johnson dismissed any immediate ambitions, stating, “I would only return if I thought I could do something useful.”
