George Galloway, a former British lawmaker who declared his district “an Israel-free zone,” said he will be a candidate for London mayor.

Galloway announced his bid on June 14, saying he would run in the election next May to “build a city that benefits everyone, not just those dripping in gold.”

Galloway, the leader of the tiny Respect Party known for his strident anti-Israel rhetoric, lost his Parliament seat representing Bradford, in northern England, by a large margin in national elections last month. Declaring his district an Israel-free zone last year included barring Israeli goods, services, academics and tourists.

“We don’t even want any Israeli tourists to come to Bradford, even if any of them had thought of doing so,” he said.  — jta