#AleppoDebate: Boris Johnson gets trolled after calling for Russian embassy protest
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s call for demonstrations at the Russian embassy in London over the war in Syria has been met with varying reactions on social media.
Boris Johnson calls for Russian Embassy protests during Syria debate https://t.co/inJi6iGhBTpic.twitter.com/UWNAVSxtON
— RT UK (@RTUKnews) October 11, 2016
Who's all going on Boris's Bullingdon demonstration at the Russian Embassy then? Only an idiot could hate Russia more than they hate ISIS
— George Galloway (@georgegalloway) October 11, 2016
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who continues to supply arms to Saudi Arabia asks Stop the War Coalition to protest Russia #AleppoDebate
— Jane Samuels (@Jane_Samuels) October 11, 2016
For many, the idea that a member of the UK government would call for a protest outside another nation’s embassy was surprising.
It's almost as if Boris Johnson has forgotten he's Foreign Secretary and has other diplomatic tools at his disposal. Like a phone
— Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@krishgm) October 11, 2016
Boris telling people to protest outside the Russian Embassy? Great way to improve relations you fat clown. #AleppoDebate
— Johnny 🎃 (@JohnnyBforBACON) October 11, 2016
Boris Johnson is not fit to be foreign secretary. He is acting like Gaddafi and Saddam.
— Ghanem Nuseibeh (@gnuseibeh) October 11, 2016
https://t.co/sEErfBLf78 What's the point having Boris the buffoon as Foreign secretary if he expects us to do his job. #sortityourself.
— RUNNINGBULL2016 (@davehutchinson5) October 11, 2016
How on earth can the UK be taken seriously in the world with a buffoon like Boris Johnson as our Foreign Secretary? woeful #AleppoDebate
— Ian (@Mancman10) October 11, 2016
Others were quick to see the irony in the UK protesting conflict while supplying arms to warring countries.
If we genuinely want to stop wars, we need to stop selling arms to countries in conflict. It's quite simple really... #AleppoDebate
— Parveen Agnihotri (@Parveen_Comms) October 11, 2016
Regrettably, it's really hard for our country to speak from the moral high-ground when we're waist deep in arms sales. #AleppoDebate
— kevin (@rascalblog) October 11, 2016
Many more pointed to the UK’s close relationship with Saudi Arabia, which has been bombing Yemen since March 2015.
If you have sense the only Embassy to protest outside is Saudi Arabia NOT Russian ! #AleppoDebate#Yemen
— barhamm (@magwitch5151) October 11, 2016
If our honourable Foreign Secretary is so concerned with stopping crimes in Syria why does he support Saudi crimes in Yemen? #AleppoDebatepic.twitter.com/LjwhVc6nFy
— Jewish Voice (@J_VoiceUK) October 11, 2016
The UK has made over £3 billion ($3.6bn) in arms sales to Saudi Arabia since the war in Yemen began.
The hypocricy is epic. Boris goes on about Russia bombing while happily supplying Saudi Arabia with the weapons to ruin Yemen #AleppoDebate
— Shlomo Anker (@Hapoel4) October 11, 2016
Doesn't the Johnson realise we're neck-deep in the Yemen as well? This may be perceived as a tad hypocritical? https://t.co/nSxEQxgNpP
— roger (@r0g3rd4y) October 11, 2016
Johnson defended the UK’s arms sales to Saudi Arabia last month, stating, “the key test for our continued arms exports to Saudi Arabia in relation to international humanitarian law is whether those weapons might be used in a commission of a serious breach of international humanitarian law. Having regard to all the information available to us, we assess this test has not been met.”
READ MORE: Yemen funeral bombing: US to ‘immediately review’ support for Saudi-led coalition
Look forward to Boris's call for protests at Saudi Embassy over Yemen. Welcome to the antiwar movement, BoJo. https://t.co/WBnedlj00C
— Glenton (@joejglenton) October 11, 2016
#UK Boris Johnson calls for #Russia Embassy protests during #AleppoDebate says nothing about #US funding terroristshttps://t.co/aIqnogLiw8
— Freepress (@ultimateOne) October 11, 2016
The hypocricy is epic. Boris goes on about Russia bombing while happily supplying Saudi Arabia with the weapons to ruin Yemen #AleppoDebate
— Shlomo Anker (@Hapoel4) October 11, 2016
The Stop the War coalition, which Johnson targeted in his speech, responded to the new foreign secretary’s proposal, said it was “quite amazing” that Johnson was “taken seriously at all on issues of foreign policy.”
#AleppoDebate If StopTheWar can be accused of being selective about who they support, then please look at yourself in the mirror #Boris
— anna-rose phipps (@lopcute) October 11, 2016
Don't Believe the Start the War Coalition - Ask Libyans About No-Fly Zones: https://t.co/GyCKX5njWq#AleppoDebatepic.twitter.com/QQFsEouwsJ
— Stop the War (@STWuk) October 11, 2016
The group, which organized massive protests against the UK’s involvement in the Iraq war which Johnson voted for, said the “bloody history” of the war on terror was being “willfully ignored in efforts to push for more war.”
Boris Johnson didn't last long as For Sec before making an absolute buffoon of himself. Nothing more than a DC mouthpiece #AleppoDebate
— Dr Rebecca Marchant (@Becca_March) October 11, 2016
The UK’s reluctance to take in refugees was also highlighted.
Britain could have saved thousands of lives by taking in our fair share of #SyrianRefugees but we didn't making the #AleppoDebate posturing.
— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) October 11, 2016
Any time Tories yell war crimes at Russia ask where were the Tories when the victims of those crimes begged to come to Britain #AleppoDebate
— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) October 11, 2016
