Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson hope to achieve twin goals by their trip to Israel — to bolster their own political profiles and to boost support for the country as it continues its bombardment of Gaza, an expert says.
The former prime ministers of Australia and the United Kingdom touched down in Israel at the weekend, where they have toured communities affected by Hamas’ October 7 attack and visited troops.
Television footage from the country’s south aired on Monday morning showed the ex-leaders in Kfar Aza kibbutz, surrounded by journalists and wearing flak vests.
Morrison wrote in an opinion piece for The Australian that his visit, at the invitation of Johnson, was aimed at demonstrating solidarity with Israel and the Australian Jewish community.
“I know I no longer speak for Australia and nor do I pretend to. However, for all those Australians who wish to declare their support for Israel and the Jewish people, I am happy, through the opportunity of this visit, to carry and convey that message on your behalf,” he wrote. “The visit to Israel is also an opportunity to reinforce our deep concern for the welfare of innocents caught up in this awful conflict, Palestinian and Jewish alike.”
Monash University Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation affiliate research associate Ran Porat said both Morrison and Johnson were seen as staunch supporters of Israel.
“Many Israelis will see this visit as important, they wish more of these visits would happen,” Porat told Crikey.
“I think Israelis feel that over the last few weeks, the world has forgotten what Hamas has done, instead focusing on Gaza. Morrison and Johnson are trying to show support for Israel’s right to defend itself.”
But he said the leaders likely had a second aim as well: “On a personal and political level, these two former leaders are trying to remain relevant.”
Hamas, a militant Islamist group designated a terrorist organisation by Australia, says the Palestinian death toll in the war has reached 9,700, including from multiple air strikes on crowded refugee camps in recent days. Street protests to demand a ceasefire in Gaza took place in major global cities, including across Australia, over the weekend.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to entertain a ceasefire until all hostages taken by Hamas have been released.
Hamas fighters took at least 242 hostages, and more than 1,400 people were killed in the group’s brutal assault on October 7.
Morrison told Nine Network in an interview aired Monday that he did not back calls for a ceasefire.
“No, I don’t support a ceasefire,” he said. “A ceasefire would simply advantage Hamas to be able to strengthen their positions and make this awful war go on for even longer.”
Morrison, while prime minister in 2018, said Australia should move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to West Jerusalem, recognising the city as Israel’s capital. The current government reversed the move in October last year.
