The present Albanese government has reversed its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Australia will once again recognize Tel Aviv as Israel’s capital, according to Foreign Minister Penny Wong, since Jerusalem is a city that is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians.
According to Ms. Wong, the former Morrison government shifted its position on Jerusalem in a bid to win over voters in Sydney’s eastern suburbs’ significant Jewish community of Wentworth.
According to Ms. Wong, this was a cunning ploy to win the Wentworth seat and a by-election.
For that reason, as I made clear at the time, we repeated our stance that Jerusalem is a final status issue.
In other words, the matter must be resolved by communication between the parties.
According to Ms. Wong, the 2018 decision “put Australia out of step with the majority of the international community” and was greeted with “great alarm.”
The Australian embassy “has always been, and remains, in Tel Aviv,” according to Ms. Wong.
Australia, according to Ms. Wong, wants to see a workable “two-state solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Accepting Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would damage that chance, in Ms. Wong’s opinion.
Australia will always remain an ardent supporter of Israel, Ms. Wong assured the Jewish community in a statement.