Australia now recognises west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
« Australia now recognises west Jerusalem — being the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government — is the capital of Israel, » Morrison said in a speech in Sydney.
Both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital.
Most foreign nations avoided moving embassies there to prevent inflaming peace talks on the city’s final status — until Trump unilaterally moved the US embassy there earlier this year.
« We look forward to moving our embassy to west Jerusalem when practical, in support of and after final status of determination, » Morrison said, adding that work on a new site for the embassy was under way.
In the interim, the prime minister said, Australia would establish a defence and trade office in the west of the holy city.
« Furthermore, recognising our commitment to a two-state solution, the Australian government is also resolved to acknowledge the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a future state with its capital in east Jerusalem, » he added.
Morrison first floated the shift in foreign policy in October, the move angered Australia’s immediate neighbour Indonesia — the world’s most populous Muslim nation — and put a halt on years-long negotiations on a bilateral trade deal.
The country’s foreign ministry responded on Saturday by saying it « notes » the decision.
