Australia denies canceling recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Tel Aviv [Israel]Oct. 18 (ANI): Australia denied on Monday that it had reversed a decision under former Prime Minister Scott Morrison to recognize West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying there would be no change in policy.

The denial came hours after British publication The Guardian reported that the Australian Foreign Office had withdrawn from recognizing West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, according to the Times. Of Israel reported.

Mr Wong denied that he overturned the previous administration’s decision. A spokesman for Wong told his ABC News in Australia that the government “continues to consider Jerusalem’s eventual status as an issue to be resolved as part of the peace talks.” Israel,” and “the government has not decided to change,” Wong said through his spokesperson.

The Labor Party had vowed in 2018 to reverse Canberra’s move under then-Liberal Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Morrison was seeking re-election for the Liberal Party in the May 2022 national election, but was defeated by the opposition Labor Party led by Anthony Albanese, who has been prime minister since the end of May, The Times of Israel reported.

Wong, who was an opposition senator in 2018, said the center-left Labor Party “does not support unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the government will reverse this decision.” . Israel,” Wong said in a statement on Monday.

A spokesperson for Morrison said the decision to overturn recognition would be “disappointing,” ABC News reported.

Labor MP Jason Clare, the country’s education minister, said no decision had been made on a potential reversal because the cabinet had not yet considered the issue, ABC News reported.

Both Israel and Palestine claim Jerusalem as their capital. Israel occupied East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War, then annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community.

For decades, the international community has argued that the city’s status should be negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians. (Ani)