Australia’s Jerusalem plan criticised

PROPOSAL TO MOVE EMBASSY SEEN AS DESPERATE BID TO MAKE POLITICAL GAINS

Proposal to move embassy seen by Middle East countries as desperate bid to make political gains |

Australia has raised the prospect of following the United States by relocating its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem in a policy shift that critics described yesterday as a desperate grab for domestic political gain to win a crucial by-election.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia remained committed to finding a twostate solution to Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians.

“When sensible suggestions are put forward that are consistent with your policy positioning and in this case pursuing a two-state solution, Australia should be open-minded to this and I am open-minded to this and our government is open-minded to this,” Morrison told reporters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had recently spoken to Morrison and welcomed the Australian policy shift.

Morrison “informed me that he is considering officially recognising [occupied] Jerusalem as the capital of Israel & moving the Australian embassy to [occupied] Jerusalem. I’m very thankful to him for this,” Netanyahu tweeted.

‘Violation of resolutions’

In Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Maliki, who was attending solidarity events in the country, said Morrison’s statement was “very sad news” that would violate UN Security Council resolutions.

“Australia, by doing so, is risking trade and business relations with the rest of the world, particularly the Arab world and Muslim countries,” he said at a news conference with Indonesia’s foreign minister. Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported that an unnamed Indonesian official had said Jakarta had been taken by surprise by the announcement, which could harm trade negotiations between the two countries.

Morrison and Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo planned to sign an agreement this year aimed at boosting trade and investment. Morrison told Parliament he had briefed Jokowi about the announcement.

But Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the government questions the merits of Morrison’s announcement and has conveyed its “strong concern.”

Morrison also announced that Australia would vote against a United Nations resolution this week to recognise the Palestinian National Authority as chair of the Group of 77 developing countries.