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Former prime minister Boris Johnson has made a surprise trip to Israel alongside former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, his spokesperson has confirmed.
The spokesperson said: “Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson and former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison are in Israel making a joint visit to express solidarity and support for Israel after the terrible terrorist attacks on October 7.”
Israeli politician Danny Danon, who is Israel’s 17th Permanent Representative to the UN, posted on Twitter/X that Mr Johnson and Mr Morrison arrived at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport early on Sunday morning.
Mr Danon thanked the two former prime ministers for their “steadfast support” of Israel and described them as “true friends” of the country.
The pair are set to visit the Gaza Strip during the day, and early on Sunday toured barracks for soldiers in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), according to local media.
According to Israel National News, Mr Johnson met with British citizens who are serving with the IDF.
“I’m here to express my strong solidarity with Israel, the people of Israel,” he said during the visit.
“The key point that I wanted to make is just how strongly I disagree with those who try to make some kind of moral equivalence between what you are doing and what the terrorists are doing.”
Asked about the coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict in British media, he said: “The important thing is for people like me who care about this issue to get across what we know to be the truth. That’s why I’m here.”
He continued: “I just want to underline the absolute moral distinction I see between what Israel is trying to do – not always with perfect success.
“Of course, like any army, like any armed forces, Israel will make mistakes and there will be suffering. But as far as I can see, the Israel armed forces, the IDF, have been put in that appalling position by Hamas terrorists.”
The visit comes as Israel continues its retaliation against Hamas for the attacks earlier this month, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming there will be no ceasefire until all hostages are released.
The United Nations said the death toll has reached 9,061 Palestinians, of which 62 per cent of the victims are women and children.
Hamas killed around 1,400 people and kidnapped a further 200 in terrorist attacks launched against Israel on 7 October.