It is a historic step for Israelis when the Trump administration recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 2017. Australia followed the decision at the time, although this made a two-state solution less likely. Now the new government in Canberra is reversing the recognition.
Australia's government no longer recognizes West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, reversing a controversial decision by the previous government. The final status of Jerusalem must be clarified in peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people, said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. "We do not support any action that undermines this perspective," Wong said. "Australia's embassy has always been in Tel Aviv and will remain there."
The conservative previous government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison followed US President Donald Trump in 2018: Despite the protests of the Palestinians, the Republican recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and had the US embassy relocated there. For his part, Morrison had received a lot of criticism in Australia for his decision. The Labor Party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, took power in Australia in May 2022.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 in the Six-Day War, later annexed it and declared the entire city its "eternal and indivisible capital". The Palestinians lay claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Most states do not have their embassies in Jerusalem, so as not to prejudge the possible outcome of peace negotiations.
