Palestine hails Australia's decision to revoke recognition

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Palestinians hailed on Tuesday Australia's decision to reverse its recognition of the Western part of occupied Al-Quds as the Israeli-proclaimed capital of "Israel".

"We welcome Australia's decision with regards to Jerusalem & its call for a two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy," the Palestinian Authority's Civil Affairs Minister, Hussein Al-Sheikh, posted on Twitter.

The Palestinian diplomat hailed Australia's "affirmation that the future of sovereignty over Jerusalem depends on the permanent solution based on international legitimacy."

We welcome #Australia's decision with regards to #Jerusalem & its call for a two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy and its affirmation that the future of sovereignty over Jerusalem depends on the permanent solution based on international legitimacy (2SS) https://t.co/jAYGDmqe1u

— حسين الشيخ Hussein AlSheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) October 18, 2022

Earlier, the Israeli occupation Foreign Ministry confirmed that it will summon the Australian Ambassador to "Tel Aviv" over Canberra's reverse of its recognition of the Western part of occupied Al-Quds as the Israeli-proclaimed capital of "Israel".

In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said, "Israel expresses its deep disappointment in the face of the Australian government's decision resulting from short-sighted political considerations."

"Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3000 years and will continue to be the eternal and united capital of Israel regardless of this or that decision," the occupation Ministry claimed.

In response to Australia's decision, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Yair Lapid said that "in light of the way in which the decision was made in Australia, as a hasty response to incorrect news in the media, we can only hope that the Australian government is more serious in other matters. Jerusalem is the eternal capital of united Israel and nothing will ever change that."

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Tuesday morning that Australia "will always be a steadfast friend of Israel" and was committed to a so-called "two-state solution".

The Australian government "recommits Australia to international efforts in the responsible pursuit of progress towards a just and enduring two-state solution," Wong said in a statement.

"The Australian government continues to consider the final status of Jerusalem as a matter to be resolved as part of any peace negotiations,” the top Australian diplomat pointed out, adding that "this reverses the Morrison Government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel."

"Australia’s embassy has always been, and remains, in Tel Aviv."

Simultaneously, Wong expressed Australia's unwavering support for Palestine, saying, "We are equally unwavering supporters of the Palestinian people, providing humanitarian support every year since 1951 and advocating for resumed peace negotiations."

It is noteworthy that Wong criticized the recognition in 2018 under then-prime minister Scott Morrison, describing it as a "unilateral, risky decision" that was "all risk for no gain."

Morrison in 2018 announced that Australia recognized the Palestinian capital's Western part as the capital of "Israel", stressing that his cabinet intended on opening trade and security offices there as part of increased cooperation with "Tel Aviv".

The move caused a domestic backlash in Australia and caused friction with neighboring Indonesia, temporarily derailing a free trade deal.

Under Morrison, the Australian federal government designated the entirety of the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas, including its political arm, as a "terrorist organization".

Australia had already blacklisted Hamas' military wing, but it later joined the United Kingdom, the United States, and others in extending the designation to Hamas’ political component.

Late last year, Australia also listed Hezbollah in its entirety as a "terrorist organization", extending a current ban on its military wing to include the entire movement.