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Lapid slams Australia for reversing recognition of W. Jerusalem as Israel's capital
Canberra’s Ambassador has been summoned by the Israeli PM
October 18, 2022 15:31
Canberra’s Ambassador has been summoned by the Israeli PM
October 18, 2022 15:31Prime Minister Yair Lapid has condemned Australia’s decision on Tuesday to reverse a previous government’s recognition of west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, calling it “hasty and incorrect."
Lapid said of the move: “In light of the way in which the decision was made in Australia, as a hasty response to incorrect news in the media, we can only hope that the Australian government manages other matters more seriously and professionally.
“Jerusalem is the eternal capital of united Israel, and nothing will ever change that.”
Meanwhile, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the move was “a short-sighted, politically motivated decision.”
The decision by Australia’s centre-left Labour government reversed Scott Morrison’s conservative government’s 2018 decision to recognise West Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that Australia remained committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying “we will not support an approach that undermines this prospect.”
Following an event for his Yesh Atid party on Tuesday, Lapid added: “What happened in Australia was a change of leadership,” and “Israel does not define the capital cities of other nations, so other countries should not do so for Israel.”
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion said in a statement: “A united Jerusalem has been and will continue to be the capital of Israel forever. Statements of this type do not further anything and do not contribute at all.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the Australian ambassador to Israel Paul Griffiths had been summoned following Canberra’s decision.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office said he was disappointed in the government’s decision, and that it “represents a further diminution in Australia’s support for the state of Israel by the Labour government from the high watermark established by the Morrison government.”
The decision to reverse Australia’s recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was a campaign promise of now Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who came to power in May 2022.