Call me naive but I thought democracy was about “the will of the people”. How, then, Scott Morrison’s decision on recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel? First he has an ill-conceived thought bubble during the Wentworth byelection, and now, facing criticism of his “L plate” prime ministership, he doubles down on that thought bubble to prove to us what a tough statesman he really is.
This is not in my name and has never been robustly debated socially or politically in Australia, nor put to the federal election test. Get this man out of here before he does any more damage.
Tony Roberts, Wandin North
This is no way to run a government
Scott Morrison has said Australia will recognise West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital simply to save face for his outrageous thought bubble in the Wentworth byelection that we would move our embassy from Tel Aviv. Policy on the run with captain’s calls is no way to run a government.
Alan Inchley, Frankston
Glaring facts omitted from piece
Maher Mughrabi’s piece pulls at the heart strings (Insight, 15/12). However, there are some glaring facts that he has conveniently omitted.
Jewish presence in the land of Israel dates back centuries. Therefore the Balfour Declaration of 1917 that provides the recognition for a Jewish national home in the land of Israel was no pipe-dream. Moreover, had the neighbouring Arab states accepted the 1947 UN partition plan and not resorted to a bloody war, Palestine would already co-exist next to the land of Israel, with Jerusalem a universal capital.
Nevertheless, there is still hope for a two-state solution. The Palestinians deserve a state of their own, but only when their leaders are prepared to take the necessary steps to forge a binding peace agreement with Israel – an agreement which must include the recognition of the legitimacy of the Jewish state and pledge to end their insidious campaign of terror.
Joel Feren, St Kilda East
Fallout from this move could prove interesting
So Scott Morrison has made a unilateral decision, on behalf of Australia without any discussion or bipartisan agreement, to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Well, I am Australian from way back and I don’t. The fallout from this decision should be interesting and highly likely to have a detrimental affect on Australia. What a lightweight he is.
Frank Giles, St Marys, Tas.
An issue just of saving face?
It would seem that Scott Morrison would rather recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital than be seen to have mooted the point to gain an electoral advantage. A good idea for the wrong reasons?
Les Aisen, Elsternwick
Act of political dereliction could come back to bite
It is an act of political dereliction, for the Prime Minister to recognise West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital while Palestinians have no state and live under Israeli occupation.
It denigrates Australia’s international standing, and risks leading to lost trade, diplomatic problems and increased terrorism for Australians. Should Labor win the next federal election, Bill Shorten needs to reverse this decision and recognise the state of Palestine once and for all.
Bill O’Connor, Beechworth
Unilateral decision
Did Australia move its embassy to Jerusalem, or did Scott Morrison?
Geoff Wigg, Surrey Hills
These letters were published in The Age.