Boris Johnson is to visit Israel next week -  his first official trip since becoming Foreign Secretary.

The former mayor is scheduled to visit Jerusalem during the tour, which comes six months after he attended Shimon Peres’ funeral.

Only last week Mr Johnson had reaffirmed the UK’s strong support of Israel in the face of recent terror rocket attacks from Hamas and other groups.

In Foreign Office Questions last week he stated: “Nobody should underestimate the very real security threat facing Israel”, and underlining that the UK government is “firmly on the side of the Israelis as they face that threat”.

Two years ago, while Mayor of London, Mr Johnson criticised the BDS movement describing the campaign as “completely crazy” and promoted by a “few lefty academics” in corduroy jackets pursuing a cause.

His colourful denunciation of boycotts was applauded by Israel’s supporters but led to the cancellation of meetings in the West Bank.

In January Mr Johnson spoke out against a call for disciplinary action against the Israeli embassy in London following the airing of controversial Al Jazeera documentary, The Lobby.

He also defended the UK’s support for the UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements.

Mr Johnson said the UK had been closely involved in drafting the language of the resolution, ensuring it contained words condemning “the infamy of terrorism that Israel suffered every day”.