Sydney, Australia- Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed that the Federal government has reversed its recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Wong held a media briefing shortly after releasing the statement, saying that Australia was committed to a two-State solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian State coexist, in peace and security, and within internationally recognized borders.
In addition, Wong said the recognition of West Jerusalem was a desperate attempt by former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to win votes in the 2018 Wentworth by-election by courting Jewish voters.
“I regret that Mr. Morrison’s decision to play politics resulted in Australia’s shifting position and the distress these shifts have caused too many people in the Australian community who care deeply about this issue.
Australia is committed to a two-State solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist, in peace and security, within internationally recognized borders. We will not support an approach that undermines this prospect.
We will not waver in our support of Israel and the Jewish community in Australia. We are equally unwavering in our support of the Palestinian people, including humanitarian support,” said Wong.
However, Israeli Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, has denounced Australia’s decision of stopping to recognize West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
“Jerusalem is the eternal and united capital of Israel and nothing will ever change that. We can only hope that the Australian government manages other matters more seriously and professionally,” said Lapid.
In addition, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Australia’s Ambassador to Israel, Paul Griffiths, will be summoned to explain the move.
Nevertheless, Izzat Salah Abdulhadi, the head of the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, said Australia’s stance was a step in the right direction.
“The reversal of the Morrison Government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a step in the right direction towards the effective implementation of the two-State solution and achieving a just and durable peace in the Middle East,” said Abdulhadi.
In 2018, the Conservative coalition government led by Morrison formally recognized west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, reversing decades of policy.
However, Morrison said at the time that the Australian Embassy would remain in Tel Aviv, though plans could change. Thereafter, Australia became the third country to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, following the United States and Guatemala.
Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as capital of any future State, while Israel sees the entire city as its capital.
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