London Mayor Boris Johnson received some unsolicited professional council on his first official visit to Israel. His host, the ambitious Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, whispered that “mayoral experience is important before becoming prime minister”.
This came after Mr Johnson symbolically opened the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange , while announcing that more Israeli firms are represented on London’s stock exchange than those of any other nation.
Nikhil Rathi, the LSE’s CEO, emphasised the common interests of British investors and Israeli start-ups in financial technologies and high-tech. “Israel is the hub for these emerging markets,” he said.
The two mayors also announced a festive “Tel Aviv in London” week, scheduled for 2017. Mr Johnson said “I hope the festival will demonstrate the spirit and diversity of Tel Aviv and showcase both London and Tel Aviv as two tolerant and vibrant cities.”
After the two city heads had cycled together along a bike path, Mr Huldai lamented the lack of strong sunshine and Mr Johnson responded saying that the balmy weather was “splendid”.
Boris Johnson also met with Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom for lunch on Monday. The meeting focused on the security situation in Israel and the wider Middle East, the rise of ISIL in Syria and Iraq, discussion around a two state solution, and furthering two-way trade between London and Israel .
