[ad_1]
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would consider moving the Australian embassy to Israel to Jerusalem and recognize the holy city as the capital of the country, although fears of such a move could not undermine the process. peace with the Palestinians.
Jerusalem property is a deeply controversial issue. Israelis and Palestinians claim it as their membership and its final status has long been one of the main obstacles to negotiations for a two-state solution.
If Australia were to relocate her embassy, she would follow the example of US President Donald Trump, who had done the same thing earlier this year. Trump's decision led to mass demonstrations in Gaza, during which Israeli forces killed 58 Palestinians.
In his address this morning, Morrison reiterated Australia's commitment to peace in the region, saying "nothing has changed" in this regard, but said the current strategy had failed. and it might be time to try something different.
"We are committed to a two-state solution, but frankly, things have not gone well. Little progress has been made. And you do not continue to do the same thing and do not wait for different solutions, "he said.
Morrison said the candidate for the Wentworth byelections of the Liberal Party, Dave Sharma, had raised the issue. Mr. Sharma is a former ambassador to Israel.
The timing is for the least interesting, given that the by-election will be held in four days – and it turns out that a large portion of voters at the seat are Jews.
"When sensible proposals are put forward, which are consistent with your policy and in this case, seeking a two-state solution, Australia should be open to that and that, and me too," he said. Mr. Morrison.
"I will not close my mind to things that can actually be done better and differently."
Mr. Morrison stressed that considering the recognition of Jerusalem as an Israeli capital would not necessarily have an impact on the two-state solution.
"You can reach both," he said. "By pursuing both, you are contributing to the solution of a two-state solution."
RELATED: The reason behind Morrison's change
However, the prime minister said "no decision was made" and that he will consult his cabinet colleagues and other world leaders to gauge their views on this issue.
His lecture also touched on two key issues.
Mr Morrison said that Australia would not support UN action for the Palestinian Authority to chair the G77, a coalition of developing countries.
"We do not believe that conferring this status, especially at this time, would help move the parties to a two-state solution," he said.
He also announced that Australia would "consider without prejudice" the nuclear deal with Iran, which is supposed to guarantee that the country does not develop nuclear weapons.
The review will focus on Iran's compliance with this agreement. Both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believe that this is ineffective.
Today's announcement by Mr. Morrison marks a significant change in the government's position.
Earlier, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his foreign minister, Julie Bishop, had categorically ruled out relocating the Australian embassy, rejecting Tony Abbott's suggestions.
"We considered, as indeed most countries, that it is more conducive to the peace process to maintain the Embassy in Tel Aviv. Clearly, the status of Jerusalem and the negotiations on Jerusalem are an essential part of the peace negotiations, for which we wish the best and which we support, "said Mr. Turnbull in May.
"The Australian government will not move our embassy to Jerusalem," Bishop said in June. "Jerusalem is a question of final status and we have maintained this position for decades."
Mr. Sharma was asked about this idea at a forum held yesterday at the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club.
"I think we should be open to seeing this as an Australian. The United States did, "said Sharma, while stressing that Australia" needed to look at it in the context of a two-state solution. "
He has already pointed out the problem, in an article that he wrote for L & # 39; Australian in May after Trump decided to move the US embassy.
"To deny the centuries of history that unite the Jewish people in Jerusalem is meaningless," he wrote.
"It also makes no sense to claim that the western part of Jerusalem is not a sovereign Israeli territory. The Israeli Knesset (parliament), the Supreme Court, the official residences of its Prime Minister and President, as well as many other state institutions, are found within it.
"Foreign dignitaries, including Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (who were still in office at the time), visit the King of David Hotel in West Jerusalem for official visits. As an ambassador, I traveled from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem several times a week to meet with ministers and officials. "
However, he also acknowledged that the American movement posed significant risks and would "inflame" opinion in the Middle East.
Sharma said the United States should "make it clear that Trump's statement does not constitute recognition of Israel's claim to sovereignty over the entire city of Jerusalem, and that it is only a matter of course. expects a Palestinian capital in the predominantly Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem to emerge during final status negotiations. "
Mr. Morrison spoke about the potential project with Mr. Netanyahu, who praised Australia.
"I spoke today to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. He informed me that he planned to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move the Australian Embassy to Jerusalem. I am very grateful to him. We will continue to strengthen ties between Israel and Australia, "said Netanyahu.
But here, the Prime Minister's political rivals are definitely not impressed.
"Scott Morrison is now so desperate to hang on to his job, he's ready to say anything he thinks it will earn him a few more votes, even at the cost of the Australian national interest," he said. Shadow's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.
"Instead of playing dangerous and misleading word games with Australian foreign policy in a desperate attempt to win votes, Scott Morrison should try to govern in a way that reflects the values of the people of Wentworth.
"The people of Wentworth, and all Australians, deserve a leader who puts the national interest ahead of his personal interest and who governs in the best long-term interest of the country – no one is ready to play games with long-standing positions in foreign policy five days on a by-election. "
[ad_2]Source link
