Australia may move embassy

Australia is considering following President Donald Trump’s lead in moving the nation’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

“Australia should be openminded to this,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. “We’re committed to a two-state solution but, frankly, it hasn’t been going that well.”

The announcement is causing concern in Indonesia — home to the world’s largest Muslim population and Australia’s northern neighbor — although not enough to threaten the countries’ imminent freetrade deal.

“Indonesia conveys our strong concern on the announcement and question the merit of the announcement,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, referring to the potential embassy move.

World leaders from the Vatican to Tehran denounced Trump’s decision to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv. The contentious inauguration in May, timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israel’s independence, escalated clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Morrison said he would ask his Cabinet to consider recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the embassy switch — a potential move welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I’m very thankful to him for this,” Netanyahu said in a tweet after speaking with Morrison. “We will continue to strengthen ties.”