Israel, Jewish community slam decision on Jerusalem

Jewish community leaders were hampered from commenting on Tuesday due to Simchat Torah but issued strong statements as soon as the festival ended.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry said the decision was poor policy made on the run. “The withdrawal of Australia’s recognition that Israel’s capital is in Jerusalem is a gratuitous insult to a key economic and strategic ally, with no countervailing benefit for Australians. This is no way to treat an ally whose intelligence-sharing with Australia has prevented at least one terrorist attack against Australians that we know of.

“This decision panders to the most extreme elements of the Labor Party and will also serve as a disincentive for the Palestinians to return to negotiations. Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel, the site of its parliament, supreme court, Ministerial offices and President’s residence. West Jerusalem has been part of Israel’s territory since the State was established in 1948.”

The Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said the organisation was deeply disappointed at the decision.

 “The decision by the Albanese Government to reverse Australia’s recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is deeply disappointing and counterproductive to achieving the Government’s objective of a two-state solution. Every other sovereign country is allowed to determine the location of its capital. Israel should be treated no differently. When the previous government recognised West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, it was recognising the reality on the ground – something that every Australian Government in effect acknowledges when they visit the Prime Minister of Israel and the Knesset in Jerusalem. Every single proposal to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has West Jerusalem remaining the capital of Israel. Recognising this does not in any way pre-determine the outcome of negotiations.

 “The decision today has been welcomed by Hamas – an organisation designated by the Australian Government as a terrorist organisation. That alone should cause the Albanese Government to reflect on this decision. Sadly, in making this decision, the Albanese Government is holding the State of Israel to a different standard to any other sovereign nation and doing so will reward those who refuse to recognise the reality on the ground and negotiate a much-needed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”  

Both also criticised the timing on Simchat Torah, and lack of consultation which they said would cause deep upset in the Australian Jewish community.

 “The timing of this morning’s cabinet decision was clearly media-driven. The status of Jerusalem is an important foreign policy issue, and it is demeaning for Australia to have its international position changed in such a shoddy manner,” the ECAJ said.

The New Israel Fund Australia was a dissenting voice in the Jewish community. Executive director Liam Getreu said the new position reflects a balanced approach to Israeli and Palestinian interests.

 “The Australian government is working as a balanced partner in dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by forging policies which are more in line with our likeminded allies and partners around the world and support the advancement of a peaceful resolution. The previous policy did nothing to advance a vision of two democratic states living side by side, instead placing Australia firmly in the global minority.

“There is no way forward without realising the right to self-determination for both peoples, and this realignment reflects that principle, as well as the government’s broader pledge to be a fair supporter of both Israelis and Palestinians. We look forward to seeing the Australian government continue to re-engage in the region in the pursuit of a better future for both peoples.”

The General Delegation of Palestine to Australia welcomed the Australian Government affirmation that Jerusalem is a final status
issue that must be resolved through negotiations between Palestine and Israel.

"The reversal of the Morrison Government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a step in the right direction towards the effective implementation of the two-state solution and achieving a just and durable peace in the Middle East. It should be noted in this context that East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem in 1980
claiming a “complete and united” Jerusalem as its capital was a flagrant violation of International Law and has been condemned as such by multiple United Nations General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. It is our hope that the current Australian Government will recognise the State of Palestine without further delay to save the two-state solution, in accordance with International Law and relevant United Nations resolutions," it said in a statement.

READ MORE

Israel castigates Australian ambassador over ‘wretched’ Jerusalem decision (SMH)

Israel mulls measures against Australia after u-turn on recognition of Jerusalem as capital (Haaretz)

Palestinians hail Australia's reversal of Jerusalem recognition as Israeli capital (Ynet)

ANALYSIS

Has Australia's Jerusalem reversal harmed Israel? (Jerusalem Post)

Bungled handling of West Jerusalem makes a tough decision worse (SMH)

Policy shift on Israel’s capital legally and historically warranted (SMH)

RELATED STORIES

Israel's Diplomatic Failure and Boomerang (Haaretz)

Netanyahu failed to get foreign embassies to move to Jerusalem, so why is current PM Lapid following in his footsteps?

The Jerusalem plot held by the UK as future site of embassy in Israel (Middle East Eye)

UK government owns land known as the 'Orange Plot' earmarked for decades for use as an embassy, a Middle East Eye investigation reveals

Smotrich launches bid to neuter judiciary, potentially halt ally Netanyahu’s trial (Times of Israel)

Religious Zionism leader’s legal reforms would abolish offence of ‘fraud and breach of trust,’ let MKs ignore court rulings on laws, give gov’t control over selection of judges

Ben-Gvir is a danger to Israel and he is what the election is about  (Jerusalem Post)

He is a threat to the future of Israel’s fragile democratic character, and if he gets his way – and Netanyahu gets his 61 seats – these two men will have the ability to demolish the country.

Israel braces for election interference from Russia, elsewhere  (Al-Monitor)

With diplomatic ties deteriorating, Israel fears that Russian or other hackers could try tampering with the Nov. 1 election results.

Photo: Australia's Ambassador to Israel presents his credentials to Israel's President Reuven Rivlin (IPO)