Boris Johnson makes surprise visit to Israel and SLAMS Hamas terrorists - 'Appalling!'
Boris Johnson looks on as he meets with British-Israeli soldiers during a visit to Jerusalem
REUTERS
Boris Johnson has made a surprise visit to Israel as the ex-Prime Minister slammed Hamas terrorists over the group’s “appalling” attack on October 7.
Johnson, 59, who last week announced he will join GB News in the New Year, met with British-Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem alongside former Australian premier Scott Morrison.
The pair are expected to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and relatives of around 200 hostages just weeks after 1,400 people were killed by Hamas terrorists.
The former Prime Minister, who resigned as an MP earlier this year following the Privileges Committee’s partygate probe, said: “I'm here as a month on after the most appalling atrocities against the Jewish people we have seen since the Second World War.
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“I want to make sure people understand the duty of Israelis to defend themselves and to fight terror on behalf of freedom-loving people around the world - I think that's the crucial thing.
“When it comes to the long-term solution to the security issues then to your point of the involvement of the UK and other Western democracies I'm sure that all that kind of thing is going to be... it is a legitimate subject for consideration.
“But right now we are facing the imperative to deal with a huge terrorist threat and the Israelis need to get on with that.”
Morrison, who was defeated by Labor’s Anthony Albanese in the most recent Australian general election, said he was “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”.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visit Kibbutz Kfar Aza following the October attack by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip,
REUTERS
He added: “It is an opportunity to understand firsthand what is occurring on the ground, honor 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.”
The pair, who alongside US President Joe Biden were key to the AUKUS agreement on nuclear submarines, also visited a kibbutz.
Johnson and Morrison’s visit comes after Rishi Sunak touched down in Tel Aviv on October 19.
Hamas' October 7 attack against Israel was one of the bloodiest in living memory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently vowed to “crush” the terrorist organisation.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison meet with British-Israeli soldiers during a visit to Jerusalem
REUTERS
The aerial onslaught and ground invasion of Gaza has resulted in more than 9,000 Palestinians being killed, the Strip’s Hamas-run Health Ministry has said.
The issue has divided Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, with around a dozen Shadow Minister supporting a ceasefire.
Sunak was forced to sack parliamentary private secretary Paul Bristow after the Peterborough MP echoed calls for an end to violence.
However, the Labour leader is refusing to instantly sack frontbench MPs even if they defy his position and the principle of collective responsibility.
A spokesman for Johnson 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.”