Australian Prime Minister Considers Moving Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

Australian Prime Minister Considers Moving Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has welcomed the idea of moving the Australian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, sparking widespread debate over the issue. 

In May, the United States moved its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem signaling the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s true capital. 

On Tuesday, Australia’s Prime Minister suggested that the land down under might be following suit. 

During a press conference on Monday, Morrison said, “We are committed to a two-state solution. Australia’s position on this issue has, to date, assumed that it is not possible to consider the question of the recognition of Israel’s capital in Jerusalem, and that be consistent with pursuing a two-state solution.”  

The Prime Minister goes on to say that the former Ambassador of Australia to Israel, Dave Sharma, suggested several months ago that moving the Australian embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv could allow for Australia to both, recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move toward a two-state solution. 

The two-state solution refers to a resolution between the warring nations of Israel and Palestine that would create “an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel — two states for two peoples,” as the New York Times put it.

Many on the world stage have been working for decades to achieve this goal, but as Prime Minister Morrison stated in the press conference, “it hasn’t been going that well.” 

Morrison said, “We are committed to a two-state solution, but frankly, it hasn’t been going that well, and you don’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.”

He continued, “And so when sensible suggestions are put forward that are consistent with your policy positioning, and in this case pursuing a two-state solution, Australia should be open-minded to this.” 

Morrison goes on to say that he and the government are open to the move and as such, Australia is open to the move.

This announcement sparked controversy on the world stage, and Palestinian leaders are voicing their disappointment, while Israeli leaders are voicing their content. 

The move is not definitively happening, and Morrison stated that he would like to take the coming months to confer with his colleagues and other world leaders before a decision is reached. 

Photo courtesy: Keith Zhu/Unsplash

Video courtesy: Straya News