In 1984, two young Brits arrived in Kibbutz Kfar Hanassi as volunteers: Boris and Rachel Jonson.
Thirty-five years later, the older brother became the prime minister of Great Britain on Wednesday.
The two Johnsons stayed with the Collins family, a UK family from Leeds that had made aliyah as part of the Habonim youth movement in 1957.
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Alec Collins spoke with Israel Hayom on Wednesday, sharing anecdotes on how the future prime minister coped with the volunteer work he was assigned.
"He explores everything down to fine detail, he wanted to know everything about the Kibbutz," Collins said. "Even back then, he used to say 'I will be a leader one day.'"
Collins recalled that Boris was very happy to be in Israel and even told him: "Alec, I am having a great time here, but I want to see the entire country." Collins said Johnson went on to tour Israel, while his sister stayed in the Kibbutz for the next three months.
Collins said that it was this sense of exploration that made Johnson rise to power. "He has a keen interest to know everything. His curiosity led him to this position."
Collins said that he continued to meet Johnson ever after he had already returned to the UK. "He is a great guy to be around with and chat with. Boris can strike up a conversation with just about anyone, on the spot. He has a great sense of humor, and this will be of great benefit to the UK."
