Read time: 2 minutes 37 seconds
There are strange happenings in the “land down under.”
With a victory by the leftist-Labor Party in Australia, the conservative government that recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is no more.
Removing the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was one of the top priorities of the Labor government, and it comes as no surprise that Israel was targeted.
The Labor party was strongly against the recognition of Jerusalem in 2018, and supports a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state made from the land of Israel.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been planning this reversal from the moment it was announced. When the decision was made, she vowed that if the Labor party re-took control of the government, she would reverse the move.
She was true to her word.
“Today the Government has reaffirmed Australia’s previous and long-standing position that Jerusalem is a final status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people,” Wong said.
“This reverses the Morrison Government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
Wong went on to accuse the Morrison government of playing politics and causing “distress.”
After quietly removing all references to Jerusalem from the Foreign Ministry website, Wong tried to play both sides of the conflict by saying it supports both Jews and Palestinians.
“This government will not waver in its support of Israel and the Jewish community in Australia,” said a released statement.
“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.”
This political backstabbing of the nation of Israel did not go unnoticed.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid issued a response to the news that Australia was no longer recognizing Jerusalem as its capital:
“In light of the way this decision was made in Australia, as a hasty response to an incorrect report in the media, we can only hope that the Australian government manages other matters more seriously and professionally,” Lapid said. “Jerusalem is the eternal and united capital of Israel and nothing will ever change that.”
As reported by The Jerusalem Post, the Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned Australian Ambassador Paul Griffiths to condemn this decision and reprimand the ambassador for it.
The timing of this decision also left a foul taste in Israel’s mouth.
The international Jewish community, and many Christians, were celebrating the Jewish holidays Sukkot and Simchat Torah. These holidays represent the special connection between the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem.
Israel can expect more of this type of treatment from the Australian government, because the current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describes himself as a “critic” of Israel. He also believes that Israel is an “oppressor” of the Palestinian people and wants to have Australia recognize a Palestinian state. {eoa}
Bring Charisma magazine home with a subscription today!
James Lasher is a Copy Editor for Charisma Media.
See an error in this article?
To contact us or to submit an article
