Former Australian and UK prime ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson have arrived in Israel, saying they are there to express solidarity with the Netanyahu government amid its conflict with the Palestinian militant group, Hamas.
It is the first visit by an Australian politician to the country since 7 October when Hamas launched a brutal attack against Israeli civilians in its southern region, killing 1,400. The current British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, visited on 19 October.
The former prime ministers touched down in Ben Gurion airport early Sunday morning, local time, where they were greeted by Israel’s former ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon.
Danon, who described the two as “true friends of Israel”, said they would visit Israel’s southern communities and meet with Israeli soldiers.
It was expected Morrison and Johnson would also meet with Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, on Sunday.
Morrison said in a statement that he was thankful to be joined by Johnson in their showing of solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community around the world.
“It is an opportunity to understand first-hand what is occurring on the ground, honour those who have been lost, show support to those who have suffered and are now engaged in this terrible conflict and discuss how to move forward,” Morrison said.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, spoke with Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday for the first time since the latest conflict erupted.
Albanese told a press conference later that day the government remained concerned about humanitarian issues and civilian lives in Gaza, and that while he believed Israel had a right to defend itself, “how it defends itself matters”.
Prior to his trips to the US and China, Albanese said he had no plans to visit Israel.
Morrison’s association with Israel has long been publicised. In December 2018, Morrison changed Australia’s stance to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
As prime minister, Morrison intended to move the Australian embassy from Tel Aviv to West Jerusalem “when practical, in support of, and after, final-status determination”.
Australia quietly reversed the decision under the Albanese government in October 2022.