Israel condemns Albanese Government’s decision to reverse recognition of West Jerusalem as capital

Independent MP Allegra Spender has condemned Australia’s withdrawal of recognising west Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as the diplomatic stoush over the decision rages.

Accusing the federal government of making a “rushed” and “badly handled” decision, Wentworth MP Allegra Spender has condemned Australia’s withdrawal of recognising west Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Ms Spender said she was “very disappointed” by the actions of the government, which Foreign Minister Penny Wong argued were a response to a “cynical” decision by former prime minister Scott Morrison to attempt to sway Jewish Australian voters in the 2018 Wentworth byelection.

“The federal government’s decision to withdraw recognition of West Jerusalem was rushed and badly handled – made without proper consultation,” Ms Spender said.

“Announcing the decision on a Jewish holyday 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.”

Wentworth MP Allegra Spender has condemned Australia’s withdrawal of recognising west Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Ms Spender said Australia should play a “constructive role” in supporting a two-state solution, and the government’s actions undermined those efforts “without any gains”.

“I am writing to the Foreign Minister to express my deep concerns,” she said.

The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies welcomed Ms Spender’s “strong and unequivocal” opposition the federal government’s decision.

Australia has been embroiled in a diplomatic stoush with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid condemning the move and its unprofessional handling, while Israel’s foreign ministry will summon the Australian ambassador for further explanation.

“In light of the way in which this decision was made, as a hasty response to an incorrect report in the media, we can only hope that the Australia government manages other matters more seriously and professionally,” Mr Lapid said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed Australia would return to recognising Tel Aviv as the Israeli capital on Tuesday morning.

Less than 24 hours earlier her office had denied the quiet deletion of several sentences referring to west Jerusalem on a government website signalled a formal policy change.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid has condemned Australia’s reversal of recognising West Jerusalem as the nation’s capital. Picture: Menahem Kahana / AFP

Following media reports about the botched timing of the website update, the issue was discussed at a federal cabinet meeting, paving the way for Ms Wong to publicly confirm the policy change shortly after.

But the government’s announcement coincided with the second day of a Jewish festival known as Simchat Torah, celebrations for which include desisting from work, meaning many people were unable to comment on the decision until after sunset.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has now confirmed the change of policy. Picture: Lukas Coch / POOL / AFP

Asked why bureaucrats had made the website change without cabinet endorsement, Ms Wong said failures in government processes “happens sometimes”.

Israel’s foreign ministry described the decision as “resulting from shortsighted political considerations”.

But Ms Wong said the original decision to recognise west Jerusalem as the official capital by former prime minister Scott Morrison had been a “cynical” play to win the 2018 Wentworth by-election.

She said the Jerusalem was a “final status” issue that should be resolved as part of peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

Australia Israel Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) executive director Colin Rubenstein said the reversal was “deeply disappointing” and risked “denting Australia’s credibility with some of our closest allies”.

“In 2018, the Morrison Government recognised west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, while acknowledging that the Palestinians seek a state with their capital in east Jerusalem,” he said.

“This should not be controversial.”

Dr. Colin Rubenstein AM is the executive director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry decried the lack of public consultation in the lead up to the announcement.

“The timing of this morning’s cabinet decision was clearly media-driven,” a statement said.

“It is demeaning for Australia to have its international position changed in such a shoddy manner.”

Former Liberal Wentworth MP and ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma said Ms Wong had “failed” to give any “national interest reason” for the change in policy.

“Any possible two-state solution discussed over the years recognises as its basis that Israel’s capital will remain in Jerusalem,” he said. “Labor seems to think otherwise.”

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham described Labor’s announcement process as “shambolic” and condemned the government for failing to properly “consult with stakeholders” during the decision making.