Foreign Minister Penny Wong is accusing former prime minister Scott Morrison of playing politics over the decision to move Australia's embassy from Tel Aviv. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Australia's Labor government has reversed a controversial decision by the previous government to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong, speaking after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 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."
In late 2018, the then-Morrison government moved to recognise West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, following the former Trump administration's decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to West Jerusalem.
Scott Morrison's move came after a similar decision by former US president Donald Trump. Photo: 123RF
Senator Wong accused Scott Morrison of playing politics over the decision.
"I think we all know when we saw some of it publicly that the 2018 decision put Australia out of step with the majority of the international community," she said.
"It was received with great concern by members of the international community.
"You know what this was? This was a cynical, unsuccessful, play to win the seat of Wentworth and a by-election."
Morrison denied at the time that the decision was aimed at winning over Jewish voters in the seat, which the government ultimately lost to independent Kerryn Phelps.
Labor had long vowed to reverse the move if elected to office and, in recent days, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), without fanfare, deleted online references to the decision.
"The updating of the website occurred ahead of government processes. That happens sometimes," Senator Wong said.
"I am not going to blame anybody for that. That happens. That is why I am also here, today, making sure we are clear about our position and I want to make sure that the website did reflect the position I articulated."
-ABC
