Australia will become one of the few countries in the world to formally recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in a move that Scott Morrison will claim is aimed at advancing the stalled Middle East peace process.
The Weekend Australian can reveal the Prime Minister will announce in a speech today the shift in foreign policy to endorse Israel’s claim to the contested city as its rightful capital, while accusing the UN of presiding over a new age of anti-Semitism.
At the same time, the Morrison government will commit to recognising a future Palestinian state, with its capital in East Jerusalem, once an enduring settlement has been reached on a two-state solution to end the 70-year conflict.
In a speech to the Sydney Institute today, Mr Morrison will say the decision is consistent with Australia’s historical record as being the chair of a committee that first recommended the creation of the state of Israel, which was declared in 1948.
Mr Morrison will also announce a final decision on a review of Australia’s position on the Iran nuclear deal, deciding to retain support but flagging the possibility of “autonomous sanctions” over Iran’s sponsorship of terrorism in the Middle East.
The more controversial measure of following the US in relocating the Australian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will be delayed until the final status of the city is determined under a peace settlement. Instead, a defence and trade office will be established in Jerusalem, in a symbolic gesture of the bilateral relationship. The decision was endorsed by cabinet’s national security committee on Monday.
Read the article by Simon Benson in The Australian.