Australia-Israel row: terror groups cheer Penny Wong’s embassy call

Proscribed terror groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have endorsed the Albanese government’s decision not to move the Australian embassy to Jerusalem.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s decision not to move the Australia’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem has been backed in by proscribed terror groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, stoking further outrage over the diplomatic bungle.

Within hours of the Albanese government’s confirmation that the government would reverse plans to move the embassy, Palestinian Islamic Jihad called it “a courageous step and a victory for the Palestinian cause.”

Hamas also released a statement “welcoming” Australia’s decision, calling it “a step in the right direction for world peace and stability,” according to its website.

“I think it speaks volumes for the stupidity of this decision that it has been endorsed by two organisations that have been listed as terrorist organisations in Australia,” said shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser.

Hamas released a statement “welcoming” Australia’s decision.

“This is just completely chaotic, the government had three positions in 24 hours, what is it about Jerusalem that Labor cannot see?”

“The Knesset (parliament) is there, the supreme court is there, it looks like the capital city of any other country, this is like saying the capital of Australia is not Canberra but Dubbo.”

“Why would they want to even appear to be on the same side as terrorist organisations,” Mr Leeser said

Others within the Jewish community also voiced their disappointment.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

“I think it shows that this just panders to the most extreme elements not just in Labor but in Palestinian society,” said Alex Ryvchin, author and co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

“The irony is that these groups won’t be satisfied with anything short of the complete collapse of the State of Israel.”

“Labor has alienated the vast majority of Australians who abhor Islamic terrorism with this move,” he said.

The decision also caused uproar in Israel, with Israeli president Yair Lapid slamming the government saying, “Jerusalem is the eternal and united capital of Israel and nothing will ever change that.”

Both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are listed as proscribed terror organisations by the Australian government.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad was listed in 2012 after negative assessments by ASIO, while the Morrison government listed the entirety of Hamas as a terrorist organisation in March.

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