The Israeli Foreign Ministry today summoned Australia’s Ambassador to Tel Aviv, Paul Griffiths, after the country withdrew its recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Israeli military radio and news site i24 reported that “Australian Ambassador Paul Griffiths has been summoned to clarify his country’s actions.”
In response to Australia’s decision, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement:
“Given the way this conclusion has been made in Australia, in light of the hasty reaction to an inaccurate media report, we can only hope that the Australian government is handling other matters promptly.” more achingly and professionally.”
“Jerusalem is the everlasting and united capital of Israel, and nothing will alter that.”
On Tuesday, the Israel Broadcasting Corporation said Australia has officially declare it no longer recognizes West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
He cites Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in an interview with reporters:
“Today, the government reaffirms Australia’s old and longstanding position that Jerusalem is a final status development that should be conclude as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people. ”
This, she pointed out, “reverses the Morrison government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
“I deplore that Mr. Morrison’s decision to enter politics has resulted in a change in Australia’s position and these changes have caused many in the Australian community to be deeply concerned about this outcome.”
In 2018, the government of Australia, led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, recognized West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but said it would not move its embassy from Tel Aviv until a peace deal was reached.
In 2017, then-US President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, upending decades of American policy. The following year, he moved the US Embassy to the Holy City.
OIC Welcomed the Decision
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday welcomed the Australian government’s decision to end recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Anadolu News Agency reported.
In a statement, the Jeddah-based group welcomed Australia’s “commitment to a two-state solution”, adding that Australia’s move was “consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions”.
The Pan-Islamic organization called on all countries that recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital to “reverse their attitudes towards international legality
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Tuesday that the country had withdrawn its recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
In 2018, the government of then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it would recognize West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but would not move the embassy out of Tel Aviv until a peace deal was reached.
The Guardian reports that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has removed two sentences from his website announcing the move over the past few days, indicating a decision to quietly call it off.
The two sentences say:
“In line with this long-standing policy, in December 2018 Australia recognized West Jerusalem, home to the Knesset and many Israeli government entities, as the capital of Israel. and then West Jerusalem, if practicable.”
Australia’s Labor government, elected this summer, promised among other policies to reverse Morrison’s move, but that was reportedly not done until the Guardian asked DFAT for information on the matter.
