Australia reverses recognition of West Jerusalem as Israeli capital

Sydney, Australia, Oct 18 (EFE).- Australia announced Tuesday it was reversing its 2018 decision to recognize West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

“Today the Government has reaffirmed Australia’s previous and longstanding position that Jerusalem is a final status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said at a press conference in Canberra.

Wong also noted that the government led by Anthony Albanese, whose Labor Party won the elections in May ending nine years of conservative rule, has no intention of moving its embassy to West Jerusalem but will keep it in Tel Aviv.

“Australia is committed to a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist, in peace and security, within internationally recognized borders,” Wong added.

Following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the foreign minister stressed that the Canberra government “recommits Australia to international efforts in the responsible pursuit of progress towards a just and enduring two-state solution.”

The Labor government also reaffirmed its “steadfast” friendship with Israel and its support for the Palestinian people.

Australia changed its policy towards the Israeli-Palestine conflict during Liberal leader Scott Morrison’s mandate, when it announced the recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2018.

Morrison, thus, followed in the footsteps of then United States President Donald Trump, who broke with international consensus by recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital in December 2017 and moving the American embassy to that city. EFE

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