Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson tour Israel

“I am thankful for the opportunity to join former prime minister Johnson, to come to Israel as a demonstration of solidarity with the people and state of Israel and the Jewish community throughout the world,” Mr Morrison said.

“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.”

Mr Morrison was among about 1500 delegates who attended the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in London last month.

The Coalition has criticised Labor’s response to the October 7 attacks, and called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to visit Jerusalem. He spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, via phone last week.

World leaders including US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have held talks with Mr Netanyahu.

Labor has strongly supported Israel’s right to defend itself, but alongside other Western democracies has called for a humanitarian pause on hostilities in Gaza to allow food, water and medical supplies to reach innocent people caught up in the fighting.

Australia has also joined the United States in warning Israel that it risks losing the support of the international community because of the rising civilian death toll.

About 20 Australian citizens, one permanent resident and two family members arrived back in Australia at the weekend, after being able to escape Gaza when the Rafah crossing was opened to allow foreign nationals to exit.

The group included two families, who arrived in Adelaide and Melbourne on Saturday night.

A group of 12 people were due to touch down in Sydney on Sunday evening.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has assisted about 25 people leave Gaza for Egypt, helping secure accommodation and onward travel.

DFAT is assisting 67 people, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and family members who remain in Gaza.

Australia continues to press for the remaining Australians and their family members to be allowed to cross the border to safety.

A department spokesman said Australia continued to engage closely with partners in the region, to ensure the remaining Australians in Gaza who wish to leave can do so as soon as possible.

The ability to leave the war-ravaged area depends on a range of fast-moving factors and Australian diplomats are watching developments closely.