Strong reaction from Israel – criticized the decision of the Australian government – called the Australian ambassador for an explanation.
Australia’s government announced today that it will no longer recognize West Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel, reversing a move made in 2018 by the previous Conservative government.
“The issue of the final status of Jerusalem must be resolved in the framework of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong explained in a press release released by her services.
“Today, the government reaffirms Australia’s previous and long-standing position” on this issue, he stressed.
In doing so, it “cancels the Morrison government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.”
Jerusalem remains an unresolved issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Israeli army overran its eastern part in the Six-Day War (1967) and has annexed it, which the international community does not recognize. Israel calls the city holy to believers of three religions its “eternal and indivisible” capital. The Palestinians, on the other hand, see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future sovereign and independent state.
In 2018, the right-wing government of Scott Morrison – he was replaced as prime minister by Labor’s Anthony Albanese earlier this year – announced its decision to recognize West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, while pledging to recognize East Jerusalem as its capital of a future independent and sovereign state of Palestine following the achievement of a two-state solution.
“I regret Mr Morrison’s decision to play political games resulting in a change in Australia’s position and the upset this change has caused to many people (…) in Australia who care deeply about the issue,” it said. in the announcement of the head of the Australian diplomacy.
Ms. Wong also said that her country’s embassy in Israel will remain in Tel Aviv, “where it has always been.”
Only four countries have moved their embassies to Jerusalem: the US, Guatemala, Honduras and Kosovo.
The Australian Foreign Ministry insisted that Canberra is committed “to the two-state solution”, under which “Israel and the future state of Palestine will coexist, in peace and security, on their internationally recognized borders”, and that it will not adopt the no “approach that undermines that perspective” follows. She also assured that her country will remain an “unwavering” ally of Israel.
Israel criticized Australia’s decision
Israel today criticized the Australian government’s decision to stop recognizing West Jerusalem as its capital and summoned the Australian ambassador for an explanation.
In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid called Canberra’s decision “a hasty response to a false press report.”
“We can only hope that the Australian government will resolve its other issues in a more serious and professional manner,” he added, without specifying which “wrong” he was referring to.
Israel’s foreign ministry summoned the Australian ambassador for an explanation.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed Australia’s decision
The Palestinian Authority today expressed its satisfaction with the Australian government’s decision to stop recognizing West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
“We welcome Australia’s decision on Jerusalem and its call for a two-state solution (…) as well as its assurance that the future sovereignty of Jerusalem depends on a permanent solution based on international legitimacy.” , Palestinian Minister of Political Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh wrote on Twitter.
Calling Canberra’s decision “correcting a mistake made by the previous government”, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said Australia must now “take a more important step and that is to recognize the State of Palestine, after the declarations regarding its commitment in favor of the two-state solution”.
Israel earlier criticized the Australian government’s decision, with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid calling it “a hasty response to a false press report”.
“We can only hope that the Australian government will deal with its other issues in a more serious and professional manner,” he added, without specifying which “misinformation” he was referring to.
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
