Staff Reports
Jerusalem will no longer be recognized as the capital city of Israel, according to an announcement made by Australia's new leftist government on Tuesday. The previous administration, which was conservative, made the decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital city.
The government of Australia, which is led by the Labor Party, has stated that it will accept Tel Aviv as the capital of Israel and has asked that Israel determine the status of the city during peace discussions with the Palestinians. Jerusalem, in its whole, serves as the nation's capital rather than just the western section of the city.
Penny Wong, Australia's foreign minister, issued a statement in which she reiterated the country's prior and longstanding stance on the status of Jerusalem, saying that it must be settled as part of any peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinian people. The designation of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the Morrison government has been revoked as a result of this development.
Wong asserted that Australia would not change its position in regard to its support for Israel, despite the fact that Australia was changing its position by declaring the reversal.
I regret that Mr. Morrison's decision to play politics resulted in Australia's shifting position, Wong continued, and the misery these shifts have caused to many individuals in the Australian community who care profoundly about this subject. I regret that Mr. Morrison's decision to play politics resulted in Australia's shifting position.
In response to the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid issued a statement calling into question the fundamental structure of the Australian government.
In view of the manner in which this decision was taken in Australia, which was as a quick response to an inaccurate claim in the media, we could only hope that the Australian government handles other problems in a more serious and professional manner, added Lapid. Jerusalem will always and forever serve as the capital of Israel in its unified form, and that fact will never be altered.
Prime Minister Lapid in response to Australia’s announcement:
"In light of the way this decision was made in Australia, as a hasty response to an incorrect report in the media, we can only hope that the Australian government manages other matters more seriously and professionally— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 18, 2022
A representative for Wong's office stated, just a few hours before the announcement that Australia will no longer recognize Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, that no decision to change that has been made by the government. However, the announcement did take place.
However, just a few hours later, Wong accused Scott Morrison, who had previously served as Prime Minister of Australia, of attempting to influence the Jewish vote in the country by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel.
You are aware of what this was, right? She asserted without providing evidence that this was a cynical play, failed in its attempt to win the seat of Wentworth and a by-election.
According to a report in The Jerusalem Post, Israel's Foreign Ministry called the Australian Ambassador to Israel, Paul Griffiths, to Jerusalem in order to rebuke him about the incident.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry issued a statement stating that the timing of this morning's cabinet decision was clearly media influenced. The status of Jerusalem is a vital subject pertaining to Australia's foreign policy, and it is humiliating for the country to have its position in the international community changed in such a clumsy manner… It is an unnecessary slight to a crucial economic and strategic friend, and the Australian people will receive no advantage as a result of this action. It's unacceptable to approach in this manner a partner whose intelligence cooperation with Australia has helped avoid at least one terrorist attack in Australia.
The preceding is a summary of an article that originally appeared on Daily Wire.
