The political schism created by the Israel-Hamas conflict is widening with the Coalition yet to be convinced of the efficacy of proposed new race hate laws while, at the same time, demanding the government back a judicial inquiry into rampant antisemitism on university campuses.

Touring a Jewish school in Melbourne on Monday after it had been subject to an antisemitic graffiti attack, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was unable to say whether such acts would even be covered by the new laws.