Mayor's Middle East trip thrown into chaos after Palestinian authorities cancel series of events

The reality is we were determined to come here even though it is quite a difficult time at the moment, there's a lot of tension.

Some people have obviously taken remarks I made about the boycott, which is afterall British government policy - they've taken offence at that and that's been whipped up on social media.

We had a message from the office of the Prime Minister saying security was perhaps going to be at risk.

I would hope very much we'll still be able to go ahead and do it but that's where we are at the moment.

Following Johnson's inaccurate, misinformed and disrespectful statement regarding the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement on November 9, stating that he 'cannot think of anything more foolish', it is our conclusion, supported by the Palestinian youth that we represent, he consciously denies the reality of the occupation that continues to oppress them and all Palestinians. As Palestinians and supporters of BDS, we cannot in good conscience host Johnson, as a person who denounces the international BDS movement and prioritises the feelings of wearers of 'corduroy jackets' over an entire nation under occupation. In Johnson's own words, the 'only democracy in the region... a pluralist, open society" is one that oppresses citizens, confiscates land, demolishes homes, detains children and violates international humanitarian and human rights law on a daily basis. We, at Sharek Youth Forum, refuse to give a platform to someone who fails to acknowledge our very existence as Palestinians.