Australia-Israel row: Wentworth’s Spender slams government’s embassy backflip
Wentworth independent MP Allegra Spender has slammed the Albanese government’s Jerusalem embassy backflip after Penny Wong claimed move was tactic to win votes in the leafy eastern suburbs seat.
National
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Wentworth independent MP Allegra Spender has slammed the Albanese government’s backflip in deciding not to move Australia’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
“I am very disappointed by the actions of the government in the last few days,” Ms Spender said.
“The federal government’s decision to withdraw recognition of West Jerusalem was rushed and badly handled – made without proper consultation.”
“Announcing the decision on a Jewish holy day was even worse, as it precluded community organisations from making a public response.”
“Every sovereign nation, including Israel has the right to determine its own capital,” she said, adding that she was writing to foreign minister Penny Wong to express her concerns.
Ms Spender’s electorate is home to one of Australia’s largest Jewish populations and on Tuesday Ms Wong said that the decision by the Morrison government was simply an attempt to win votes in the area.
“This was a cynical play, unsuccessful, to win the seat of Wentworth and a by-election,” she said.
“What people thought was the prime minister of the day trying to play foreign policy in order to win votes in the seat.”
Meanwhile the US embassy in Canberra said that the Biden administration would continue to locate its embassy in Israel in Jerusalem, a move made by former president Donald Trump.
“We would defer to the government of Australia to comment on its policy,” a US embassy spokeswoman said.
“The US position is that our embassy will remain in Jerusalem, which we recognise as Israel’s capital.”
“The ultimate status of Jerusalem is a final status issue which will need to be resolved by the parties in the context of direct negotiations.”
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