‘Final status issues’: Penny Wong can’t say if Jerusalem is in Israel or Palestine
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the question of borders under a two-state solution was ‘subject to negotiations’ as Anthony Albanese confirms he discussed the US-led Gaza peace plan with the White House.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong cannot say whether Jerusalem is in Israel or the newly recognised state of Palestine, as Australia officially lends support to the US military’s efforts to keep the Gaza peace plan on track.
Senator Wong was asked in a question on notice, whether the Australian government thought the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem were in the state of Palestine, or in the state of Israel.
“The Australian government’s longstanding position on Jerusalem and borders is that they are final status issues, subject to negotiations,” Senator Wong said.
“Australia’s recognition of the state of Palestine does not prejudge the outcome of those negotiations.”
On Wednesday, before flying back from the US, the Prime Minister was asked whether he discussed Gaza with Mr Rubio. “I did speak with the Secretary (of State) about the Gaza peace plan and how it’s rolling out,” Mr Albanese said. “
The Australian defence department later revealed it would send a liaison officer to help the US military’s new Civil-Military Co-ordination Centre in Israel.
The CMCC will be the base from which the US is expected to eventually direct a mainly Arab peacekeeping force in Gaza when – as Donald Trump has pushed for – terror group Hamas hands over control of the devastated Palestinian territory.
“Australia’s contribution of a Liaison Officer to the CMCC in Israel is in line with our commitment to support international efforts towards a just and enduring peace,” a defence department spokesman said.
The Albanese government in 2022 reversed the former Morrison government’s decision to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which Senator Wong labelled a move to “play politics”.
“Australia will always be a steadfast friend of Israel,” Senator Wong said in a statement at the time. “We were among the first countries to formally recognise Israel under Labor prime minister Ben Chifley. This government will not waver in its support of Israel and the Jewish community in Australia. “We are equally unwavering supporters of the Palestinian people, providing humanitarian support every year since 1951 and advocating for resumed peace negotiations.
“I regret that Mr Morrison’s decision to play politics resulted in Australia’s shifting position, and the distress these shifts have caused to many people in the Australian community who care deeply about this issue.”
Liberal frontbencher Andrew Bragg, who lodged the question on notice to Senator Wong, said it was critical for the Australian government to have a “clear position” on sites such as the Western Wall and the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem in the interests of a two-state solution.
“Jerusalem, particularly sacred sites in the Old City like the Western Wall and Jewish Quarter, hold deep significance for Jewish people,” Senator Bragg said. “Having a clear position on the future of these places is central to any two-state solution, but of course Labor have no idea what will become of them, and were instead focused on performative foreign policy to manage their own domestic interests.”
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