Tensions are growing between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Australia’s Muslim leaders who have criticised his plans to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The Australian National Imams Council released a statement today saying the plan would “will likely escalate existing tensions and further complicate the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.”
“(The council) expresses its strong disapproval of the recent announcement made by the Australian Prime Minister yesterday in recognising West Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel,” the statement said.
“Australia can play a vital and impartial role in resolving this ongoing conflict that has led to the death of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians and the displacement of many more.
“It is important that the Australian Government honours its commitment to the Palestinians. In 1947, Australia voted to divide Palestine, then recognised the state of Israel in 1948, but
as yet has failed to recognise the state of Palestine; and to grant the state of Palestine full diplomatic rights.”
Indonesia – a Muslim majority country – also weighed into the debate calling on Australia to formally recognise Palestine in line with the two-state solution.
Read the article by Jack Houghton in The Daily Telegraph.