AhlulBayt News Agency: The Australian government says it has reversed a previous controversial decision taken by its conservative predecessor to recognize the western part of the occupied city of al-Quds as the Israeli regime's so-called capital.
During a media briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government "recommits Australia to international efforts in the responsible pursuit of progress towards a just and enduring ... solution" to the issue of Palestine.
She added that the status of al-Quds should be decided through talks between Israelis and Palestinians, and not through unilateral decisions.
"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," Wong said in another part of her remarks.
"You know what this was? This was a cynical play, unsuccessful, to win the seat of Wentworth and a by-election," she added.
Morrison had flagged moving the embassy from Tel Aviv in 2018 just days before a by-election in a Sydney electorate with a strong Jewish representation. It drew criticism from Muslim-majority neighbors such as Indonesia and Malaysia.
Morrison's Liberal-led coalition lost a national election in May. The center-left Labor party, with Anthony Albanese as prime minister and Wong as foreign minister, came to power in May 2022.
At that time, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman underlined the sensitivity of Australia’s decision, saying “the issue of Palestine is very important to Indonesia and the people of Indonesia."
Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman also warned of a possible revision in military cooperation with Australia to see whether its continuation “is beneficial for both parties.”
The decision was also condemned by Palestinians as an obstacle to achieving peace in the region, urging Arab countries to review their trade and political ties with Canberra.
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During a media briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government "recommits Australia to international efforts in the responsible pursuit of progress towards a just and enduring ... solution" to the issue of Palestine.
She added that the status of al-Quds should be decided through talks between Israelis and Palestinians, and not through unilateral decisions.
"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," Wong said in another part of her remarks.
"You know what this was? This was a cynical play, unsuccessful, to win the seat of Wentworth and a by-election," she added.
Morrison had flagged moving the embassy from Tel Aviv in 2018 just days before a by-election in a Sydney electorate with a strong Jewish representation. It drew criticism from Muslim-majority neighbors such as Indonesia and Malaysia.
Morrison's Liberal-led coalition lost a national election in May. The center-left Labor party, with Anthony Albanese as prime minister and Wong as foreign minister, came to power in May 2022.
At that time, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman underlined the sensitivity of Australia’s decision, saying “the issue of Palestine is very important to Indonesia and the people of Indonesia."
Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman also warned of a possible revision in military cooperation with Australia to see whether its continuation “is beneficial for both parties.”
The decision was also condemned by Palestinians as an obstacle to achieving peace in the region, urging Arab countries to review their trade and political ties with Canberra.
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