There have been mixed reactions to Australia’s decision, with some in favour and some against.
The Albanese government has revealed they will reverse Scott Morrison’s decision to legally recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong made the announcement on Tuesday morning saying the previous decision was “a cynical, unsuccessful, play to win the seat of Wentworth and a by-election”.
“Today, the government has reaffirmed Australia’s previous and long-standing position that Jerusalem is a final status issue, a final status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people,” she said.
Australia no longer recognises West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. pic.twitter.com/6PSCfVIT78
— Mukhtar (@I_amMukhtar) October 18, 2022
Australia’s embassy will remain in Tel Aviv according to Wong, who said that the Labor party has always been transparent about their stance on the issue.
Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid responded to the news, condemning the move by saying, “Jerusalem is the eternal and united capital of Israel and nothing will ever change that”.
“In light of the way in which this decision was made in Australia, as a hasty response to an incorrect report in the media, we can only hope that the Australian government manages other matters more seriously and professionally.”
He has also urged the Australian ambassador to Israel to formally protest the decision.
There was a different reaction from Palestine who praised the reversal by the Australian government.
“We welcome Australia’s decision with regards to Jerusalem & its call for a two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy,” said Hussein al-Sheik, Civil Affairs Minister of the Palestinian Authority.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the decision to recognise West Jerusalem in 2018, shortly after then US President Donald Trump decided that the US embassy would be moved from Tel Aviv to West Jerusalem.
The Biden administration has not reversed that decision and the US along with Honduras, Guatemala and Kosovo are the only other countries with embassies in West Jerusalem.
Current opposition leader Peter Dutton has accused Foreign Minister Wong of “looking for a distraction” away from the budget.
“We took a policy to the last election. We will make an announcement about our policy in the run-up to the next election,” he added.
