After months of conjecture Scott Morrison makes announcement on embassy in Israel

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has finally announced what he intends to do with Australia’s embassy in Israel after months of speculation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will recognise West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has formally announced his intention to move Australia’s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to West Jerusalem, ending months of speculation on the controversial issue.

In a speech this afternoon, Mr Morrison formally recognised West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced the government would set up a Trade and Defence Office in the city.

While he has formalised Australia’s views on the Israeli capital, it remains a largely symbolic gesture, because the Australian embassy will not be moved until the final status of the city is decided under a peace agreement — something that is far from a reality.

“Fundamentally, it is the right of every country to determine its national capital,” Mr Morrison told The Sydney Institute this afternoon.

The Prime Minister has drawn criticism for redefining Australia’s position on Israel and Palestine, referring multiple times to the “guard rails” placed on the discussion.

“The government asked the question … the very act of daring to ask that question drew the usual criticism,” he said.

“For everyone just to keep doing what they were doing and looking the other way, don’t raise the issue, just keep doing what you’re doing.

“That’s not the way I deal with problems.”

Mr Morrison also acknowledged the Palestinians’ right to its own state.

“Further more, recognising our commitment to a two-state solution the government is also resolved to acknowledge — acknowledge the aspirations of Palestinians for a future state with its capital in East Jerusalem,” he said,

Mr Morrison floated the idea of moving the Australian embassy in October, during the dying days of the Wentworth byelection.

The proposal angered Muslim nations, which issued joint protests to the Prime Minister, requesting he review his position.

Morrison is set to make the announcement today in Sydney. Dan Peled.

The conjecture has halted a free-trade agreement with Indonesia, worth $16.5 billion.

It was due to be signed before Christmas and has taken years to prepare. At this stage it remains unclear if it will be ratified.

It’s understood Mr Morrison made arrangements to tell the Indonesian leaders of his government’s decision before the public announcement.

During the Wentworth byelection, conjecture abounded that the proposal was a ploy by the Prime Minister to stoke favour with the Wentworth electorate, which is home to a large number of Jewish people.

More than a hundred protesters gathered at the Australian embassy in Jakarta to protest Mr Morrison’s embassy move. Picture: Adek Berry.

Upon the announcement, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation signalled moving the embassy could cause major unrest in the region.

ASIO signalled at the time that moving the embassy would be perceived to be Australia taking a stance that is “pro Israel/anti Iran” and that completing the move ran the risk of causing unrest. It said that “attacks and violent protest have previously occurred internationally after periods of unrest” in Gaza and the West Bank.

"We can't be told by other countries around the world about what our views are." @ScottMorrisonMP on moving Australia's Israeli embassy to Jerusalem. #9Today pic.twitter.com/zCagT5dHFF

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) 18 October 2018

Mr Morrison denied it was a political move. “We can’t be told by other countries around the world what our views are,” he said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said it was a rash decision that had geopolitical implications and didn’t reflect well on Australia.

“Frankly he made himself look stupid and made our country look stupid,” Mr Shorten said in November.