Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed why he made a surprise visit to Israel with Boris Johnson amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Morrison landed in Israel on Sunday, marking the first visit to the Jewish state by an Australian politician since the terrorist group Hamas crossed the border from Gaza and killed more than 1,400 Israeli civilians on October 7.
The former prime minister said he was grateful his British counterpart was joining a “demonstration of solidarity” and revealed the real reason why he decided to make the sudden trip abroad.
“I’m here because I think I should be here,” he said.
Mr Morrison is in Israel on the first visit to the Jewish state by an Australian politician since the terrorist group Hamas crossed the border from Gaza and killed more than 1,400 Israelis on October 7.
“It is an opportunity to understand first-hand what is happening on the ground, to honor those who have been lost, to show support for those who have suffered and are now involved in this terrible conflict and to discuss how to move forward. ‘
Morrison said he supports Israel’s refusal of a humanitarian ceasefire in an address to the media while wearing a bulletproof vest.
Israel resisted calls this weekend to relent on a ceasefire, demanding that Hamas return more than 240 hostages it captured during the October 7 attack.
Mr Johnson and Mr Morrison toured the Kfar Aza kibbutz, where militants killed 57 Israelis and kidnapped 17 people.
“You can’t help but be overwhelmed by the feeling that where we stand now was a place of innocence a month ago and has now been desecrated beyond belief,” Mr Morrison said.
It is unclear whether his visit to Israel will be approved by Liberal Leader Peter Dutton.
The former prime minister wrote an opinion piece for it The Australian about his surprise visit to Israel.
“I know I no longer speak for Australia, and I won’t,” he wrote.
Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson visit Kibbutz Kfar Azar in southern Israel
“However, for all those Australians who wish to express their support for Israel and the Jewish people, I am pleased, through the opportunity of this visit, to promote and deliver that message on your behalf.”
Mr Morrison was a strong supporter of Israel during his time in office, including recognizing West Jerusalem as the country’s capital in 2018, a position reversed by the current Albanian government.
Mr Morrison was in London last week to speak at a conference on Conservative politics along with a number of other current and former opposition colleagues.
He was previously photographed during his visit to Israel, sitting next to Mr Johnson during a meeting with World Likud chairman Danny Danon in Israel.
The former prime minister is dressed casually in khaki chinos, a black jacket and white sneakers, unlike the other two officials who wear suits.
Mr Morrison will reportedly meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and relatives of hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the deadly October 7 attack.
There are also plans to visit Israeli villages in the south, where civilians were killed when fighters entered their homes.
Social media users pointed out that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison wore casual clothes during a trip to Israel. (From left: Scott Morrison, Danny Denon and Boris Johnson)
Last week, Mr Morrison was one of six former prime ministers to release a joint letter condemning the “hate” spread by Hamas.
At the request of the Zionist Federation of Australia, all living former prime ministers, with the exception of Paul Keating, met on October 30 to pledge their support for Israel.
In the two-page letter, John Howard, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison call for an end to the vilification of people on all sides of the conflict.
At least 9,770 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks in nearly a month, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The death toll includes at least 4,008 children.