The Coalition has pledged to kickstart free trade talks with Israel as a show of support for a fellow democracy but has created some rare distance with the US by refusing to back Donald Trump’s plan to “clean out” Gaza by relocating Palestinians to neighbouring Arab countries.

Against a backdrop of rising local antisemitism and hostility between the Albanese and Netanyahu governments, Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan revealed he would pursue a free trade agreement with Israel as a priority should the Coalition win the next election, due by May 17.