Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has voiced strong support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, emphasizing that the people of Gaza “deserve the state they were promised decades ago.” Speaking at the World Governments Summit (WGS), Johnson described the ongoing crisis in Gaza as “a failure of governance” and underscored the urgent need for a resolution to end the suffering in the region.
During his keynote session, Johnson addressed critical global issues, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the direction of the new US administration. When asked about former US President Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion of relocating Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt, Johnson refrained from directly commenting on Trump’s remarks but stressed that the situation in Gaza remains deeply tragic.
“It’s an absolute tragedy. Gaza has great potential and a wonderful location, so what is this failure? It is a failure of governance,” he stated. While he condemned Hamas for its stance against Israel, he reaffirmed that the Palestinian people must not be denied the statehood that has been long promised to them.
Turning to Ukraine, Johnson expressed confidence in the new US administration’s support for the country, calling it “encouraging.” He warned against any notion of capitulation to Russian President Vladimir Putin and insisted that Ukraine’s battle is not just about land, but about “identity and destiny.” He added that he does not believe the US could ever abandon Ukraine and remains hopeful for a peace resolution.
On US politics, Johnson endorsed Trump’s leadership style, emphasizing the importance of decisive action. “The world is better when America is strong and provides strong leadership. I believe Trump is capable of delivering that,” he said. However, he also cautioned that the new administration has limited time to make meaningful changes, urging swift action.
Johnson also reflected on the financial policies of European nations, warning against excessive government spending. “We are spending far too much of taxpayers’ money without achieving the objectives we promise,” he remarked, advocating for tighter budget control and reduced wasteful expenditure.
Discussing his own tenure as UK Prime Minister, Johnson highlighted key accomplishments such as Brexit and the nation’s expedited COVID-19 vaccine rollout. “We took back control of our laws, borders, and economy. COVID-19 required massive state intervention, but now it’s time to move past that era and reduce state spending,” he stated.
Critiquing the current UK government, he argued that it is guilty of overtaxing, overspending, and excessive regulation. However, he expressed optimism about the Conservative Party’s chances of a political comeback before the next elections.
When asked about a potential return to politics, Johnson remained non-committal, stating, “I would only do something if I thought I could be useful. At the moment, I don’t see anything I could do.”
The World Governments Summit, themed “Shaping Future Governments,” is hosting over 30 heads of state, 80 international organizations, and 140 government delegations. With a packed agenda of global forums, ministerial meetings, and strategic reports, the summit aims to address major geopolitical and economic transformations shaping the world today.