London Mayor Sides with Israel Against Boycotters

JERUSALEM, Israel -- The mayor of London called boycotters of Israel "lefty academics" who wield no real influence. Boris Johnson is visiting Israel hoping to strengthen economic ties between Tel Aviv and London.

His visit comes at a time when the BDS campaign in Europe is gaining strength.  BDS is an acronym for boycott, divestment and sanctions.  The pro-Palestinian movement calls for boycotting and sanctioning the Jewish state on behalf of the Palestinians.  Opponents say the ultimate goal of BDS is to delegitimize the Jewish state and bring about its demise.

Johnson said, "I cannot think of anything more foolish" than to boycott "a country that when all is said and done is the only democracy in the region, the only place that has in my view a pluralist open society." He said the boycotters are "a very small minority."

The European Union is set to begin labeling Israeli products that are made in Judea and Samaria, a.k.a. the West Bank, as a means to increase pressure on the Jewish State.  But some say the move may backfire and actually prompt Israeli-supporters to buy blue and white.