Australia withdraws recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Australia withdraws recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Canberra (Web Desk): Australia on Tuesday reversed its decision to recognise West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying the status of the city should be resolved through peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people.

Wong said the decision was made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Cabinet on Tuesday.

“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,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.

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

Wong reiterated that Australia’s embassy would remain in Tel Aviv and that Canberra was 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.