Australia recognises West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
SYDNEY: Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Saturday that Australia formally recognises West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but will not immediately move the embassy from Tel Aviv.
In a foreign policy speech in Sydney, Morrison also committed to recognising a future Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital once an enduring two-state solution has been reached to end the 70-year conflict.
Instead of an embassy, Australia will initially open a defence and trade office in West Jerusalem in a symbolic gesture of the change in Australia’s policy. Morrison said he hoped the move would advance the stalled Middle East peace process which he described as a “rancid stalemate... the status quo has failed.”
“The Australian government has decided that Australia now recognizes West Jerusalem, as the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government, is the capital of Israel,” Morrison said.
“We look forward to moving our embassy to West Jerusalem when practical, in support of, and after, final-status determination,” he said, adding that work would start to identify a suitable site.
“Furthermore, recognising our commitment to a two-state solution, the Australian government has also resolved to acknowledge the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a future state with its capital in East Jerusalem.”
Australia joins Russia, Panama, and the Czech Republic in recognizing West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
But Morrison did not go as far as US President Donald Trump, who a year ago recognised the whole of Jerusalem as the capital, and moved the US Embassy to the city.
Saturday’s announcement “respects both our commitment to a two-state solution and longstanding respect for relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” Morrison said.
Saeb Erekat, a top official of the Palestine Liberation Organization(plo), slammed Morrison’s decision as one where “petty domestic politics steer irresponsible policies that contradict world peace and security.”
He also charged that the Australian administration had done nothing to advance the two-state solution, but rather, with its decision, had”chosen to join Trump, Netanyahu, and two other governments, in voting against the two-state solution.”
“Additionally, the Australian government is refusing to recognise Palestine as a state, voting in international forums against the Palestinian right to self-determination, and continuing to trade with Israeli settlements,” Erekat said.
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network too said it was dismayed at Morrison’s move and argued it would only slam closed the door to peace.
“As Israel claims exclusive sovereignty over all of Jerusalem and refuses to abide by United Nations resolutions calling it to withdraw from occupied East Jerusalem ... this sabotages any real possibility for a future just agreement,” said APAN president Bishop George Browning.
— dpa
Instead of an embassy, Australia will initially open a defence and trade office in West Jerusalem in a symbolic gesture of the change in Australia’s policy