Australia reverses course on recognizing West Jerusalem as capital of Israel

Australian officials have reversed their stance on recognizing West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and said it would keep its embassy in Tel Aviv, dropping a recognition made by the former conservative prime minister.

“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 in a statement. “This reverses the Morrison Government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”

While Wong’s statement indicated Australia would remain a “steadfast friend of Israel,” she said the country “is committed to a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist, in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders.”

“We will not support an approach that undermines this prospect,” she added.

“We are equally unwavering supporters of the Palestinian people, providing humanitarian support every year since 1951 and advocating for resumed peace negotiations,” Wong added.

The Guardian first reported the news.

The removal of recognizing West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital’s reverses a stance made by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison of the conservative party.

“I regret that Mr Morrison’s decision to play politics resulted in Australia’s shifting position, and the distress these shifts have caused to many people in the Australian community who care deeply about this issue.”

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs initially walked back its reversal of recognizing West Jerusalem as the capital, telling ABC News in a statement on Monday that its considering “the final status of Jerusalem as a matter to be resolved as part of any peace negotiations,” according to the Times of Israel.

Tensions rose between Israel and Palestine last year, which resulted in ongoing fighting between Israeli authorities and Palestine militants in the Gaza region which ended in a ceasefire agreement in August.

Former President Trump also recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in a 2017 announcement, which was seen as a fatal blow to peace talks between Israel and Palestine.

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