Published: 18 October 2022
Last updated: 5 March 2024
Less than 24 hours after assuring Australians no change had been made, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the Government would no longer recognise West Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting today, Wong said Australia remained a steadfast friend of Israel, and an unwavering supporter of the Palestinian people.
"Today, the government has reaffirmed Australia's previous and long-standing position that Jerusalem is a final status issue, a final status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people," she said.
"Australia's embassy has always been, and remains, in Tel Aviv."
The Foreign Minister’s statement came after it was reported yesterday that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) had updated its website to remove reference to West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The Guardian reported the website change as an indication of a quiet change of policy.
Last night the Foreign Minister's office release a statement saying there had been no change in government policy.
“The Australian Government continues to consider the final status of Jerusalem as a matter to be resolved as part of any peace negotiations. The former Government made the decision to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. No decision to change that has been made by the current government. Australia remains a longstanding friend and strong supporter of Israel,” the statement said.
The Morrison’s government made the move to officially recognise West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital after the US moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Australia’s embassy remains in Tel Aviv. The decision was made just before a by-election for Wentworth, a seat with a large Jewish population, and Senator Wong accused the former prime minister of making the move as "a cynical, unsuccessful, play to win the seat of Wentworth and a by-election".
