Labor’s guiding aim must be closer relations across Middle East

Claims by Penny Wong – that a decision to overturn a Morrison government pledge to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and shift our embassy there is all about maintaining proper process – are undermined by the way in which Labor has handled the issue. Late on Monday, Senator Wong denied there had been a change of position, despite amendments having already been made on the official Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. On Tuesday, Senator Wong confirmed Labor’s change in position after it was agreed to by cabinet. This smacks of a deal being finalised before Senator Wong’s colleagues were properly informed. But Senator Wong said this was just how things happened sometimes.

The decision has raised the ire of Israel, which summoned Australia’s ambassador to Israel to convey its displeasure as Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid criticised the decision, labelling it “hasty and unprofessional”. The change itself is not a surprise, given Senator Wong and Labor had been clear in their objections, painting the Morrison government decision in 2018 as an unsavoury deal to win favour in the Wentworth by-election held in the wake of the resignation of Malcolm Turnbull. But the Morrison position itself was well argued.

The DFAT website had read: “In December 2018, Australia recognised West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, being the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of the Israeli government.” It added that Australia “looks forward to moving its embassy to West Jerusalem when practical, in support of, and after the final status determination of, a two-state solution”. Senator Wong now says the whole issue is off the table for Australia until the status of Jerusalem is resolved as a “final status issue” by Israel and the Palestinians.

The issue of Jerusalem holds both domestic and international significance for Australia. There is keen support within the Jewish community as well as strong objections from others, including our Muslim near neighbours, Indonesia and Malaysia. For many, the Morrison decision was seen through the prism of the decision by Donald Trump to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, something many said would spark an upsurge in violence. The fact this did not happen adds weight to the argument that changing the dynamic can be a positive in the long road to peace in the Middle East.

In November 2018, we argued the change in recognition could help turn Palestinian minds to the prospect of East Jerusalem as their capital in a two-state solution and dislodge their fantasy that they can destroy Israel and have it all. While we supported the Morrison decision, we said “any decision has to wait on a credible review, and this by its nature should be an orderly affair drawing on prudent experts behind the scenes”. There is little evidence that this is what has happened.

We welcome Labor’s recommitment to a two-state solution for Israel but are disappointed at its lack of bravery. Since the 2018 announcement, the US has opened an embassy in Jerusalem and in recent days Britain said it might do the same. As unpopular as Mr Trump was with many people, the second anniversary of the Abraham Accord (September 16) shows his administration did make unexpected progress in the Middle East. Earlier this month, Joe Biden announced another historic breakthrough where, after months of mediation by the US, the governments of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to establish a permanent maritime boundary between them. Whatever actions are taken by Australia, our guiding aim should be to help build on the momentum for closer relations being forged across the region in the interests of a lasting peace.