Penny Wong dumps Jerusalem as Israel capital

Penny Wong reverses the former government’s recognition of West Jerusalem and delivers a blast to Scott Morrison.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Picture: Getty Images

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has reversed the former government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel instead of Tel Aviv, as she attacked Scott Morrison over a “cynical play” to win the seat of Wentworth.

Mr Morrison formally recognised West Jerusalem in ­December 2018, despite holding off relocation of the Australian embassy from Tel Aviv. Labor made clear at the time it did not support recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state after the former prime minister made Australia one of the few countries to do so.

Speaking on Tuesday, Senator Wong said Mr Morrison’s recognition of West Jerusalem was politically motivated to win the seat of Wentworth, which has a large number of Jewish constituents, and criticised him for using foreign policy to “win seats”.

She re-affirmed Labor’s position of a two-state solution.

“You know what this was? This was a cynical play, unsuccessful, to win the seat of Wentworth and a by-election,” Senator Wong said.

“What people thought was the Prime Minister of the day trying to play foreign policy in order to win votes in the seat. For that reason, I made clear at the time, we reaffirmed our view that Jerusalem is a final status issue. What do those words mean? It means that it has to be resolved through negotiation between the parties.”

“A final status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people.”