Australia will recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and keep its embassy in Tel Aviv.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is yet to announce the decision but ABC Newshas confirmed the government’s stance after months of speculation since he first announced the plan to move the embassy in October.
Mr Morrison is set to make the announcement today in Sydney. According to the ABC, the government is not set to move the embassy in the immediate future. Mr Morrison is also expected to acknowledge the Palestinian people in his speech today.
The initial announcement came in October and angered Muslim nations who issued joint protests to the Prime Minister, requesting he review his position.
The conjecture has halted a free-trade agreement with Indonesia worth $16.5 billion. It was due to be signed before Christmas and has taken years to prepare. At this stage it remains unclear if it will be ratified.
It’s understood Mr Morrison made arrangements to tell the Indonesian leaders of his government’s decision before the public announcement.
Read the article by Phoebe Loomes in The Australian.