Australia Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's Capital: PM Morrison
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Australia formally recognizes West Jerusalem (al-Quds) as Israel’s capital, reversing decades of Middle East policy, but will not move its embassy there immediately, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday.
“Australia now recognizes West Jerusalem, being the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government, is the capital of Israel,” Morrison said, Reuters reported.
“We look forward to moving our embassy to West Jerusalem when practical,” he told reporters in Sydney.
Morrison said in October he was open to shifting Australia’s embassy from Tel Aviv. US President Donald Trump’s decision to move the American embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in May delighted Israel and infuriated Palestinians.
Morrison’s unexpected announcement in October was viewed cynically because it came days before a crucial by-election in an electorate with a strong Jewish representation, a poll his party subsequently lost.
It also drew criticism from Muslim-majority neighbors such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Arab countries worried that the move would unnecessarily inflame tensions in the Middle East.
Morrison said Australia would not move its embassy to West Jerusalem until the city’s final status was determined, but said trade and defense offices would be opened there.
He confirmed Australia’s support for a two-state solution with a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem.
“What we are saying is we’ve got to move this forward. The rancid stalemate has to be broken,” he said.
