The Senate has passed a motion calling on all senators to engage in debates and commentary on the Israel-Gaza war respectfully.

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham introduced the motion, which included the claim that the chant "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" opposes Israel's right to exist.

The motion is in response to Labor Senator Fatima Payman breaking party lines and using the phrase while accusing Israel of genocide.

Her words were labelled "not appropriate" by the prime minster and she was absent from the vote on the motion.

While Senator Birmingham read the motion he was interrupted by crossbench Senator Lidia Thorpe, who repeated the chant.