This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/world/middleeast/australia-jerusalem-israel-capital.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Australia Reverses Recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital Australia Reverses Recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital
(about 11 hours later)
JERUSALEM — Australia rescinded on Tuesday its recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing a decision made in 2018 by a previous administration, angering the Israeli government and drawing praise from the Palestinian leadership.JERUSALEM — Australia rescinded on Tuesday its recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing a decision made in 2018 by a previous administration, angering the Israeli government and drawing praise from the Palestinian leadership.
Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said her government had made the move to avoid complicating hypothetical future peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said her government had made the move to avoid complicating hypothetical future peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
“Jerusalem is a final-status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people,” Ms. Wong said in a statement.“Jerusalem is a final-status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian people,” Ms. Wong said in a statement.
“We will not support an approach that undermines this prospect,” she added.“We will not support an approach that undermines this prospect,” she added.
Israel considers all of Jerusalem its united capital, but Palestinians hope its eastern section, which is considered occupied territory by the United Nations, will form the capital of a future Palestinian state. Many countries do not recognize any part of the city as Israel’s capital, pending an agreement between the two sides about its status.Israel considers all of Jerusalem its united capital, but Palestinians hope its eastern section, which is considered occupied territory by the United Nations, will form the capital of a future Palestinian state. Many countries do not recognize any part of the city as Israel’s capital, pending an agreement between the two sides about its status.
The previous Australian government, led by Scott Morrison, a conservative, recognized West Jerusalem as the Israeli capital in 2018, but never transferred the Australian Embassy to the city from Tel Aviv.The previous Australian government, led by Scott Morrison, a conservative, recognized West Jerusalem as the Israeli capital in 2018, but never transferred the Australian Embassy to the city from Tel Aviv.
His move followed the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem and transfer of the United States Embassy to the city, a decision later copied by a handful of other countries.His move followed the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem and transfer of the United States Embassy to the city, a decision later copied by a handful of other countries.
The Israeli government condemned Australia’s decision to rescind its recognition and said it had summoned the Australian ambassador to Israel. Prime Minister Yair Lapid of Israel said in a statement: “Jerusalem is the eternal and united capital of Israel, and nothing will ever change that.”The Israeli government condemned Australia’s decision to rescind its recognition and said it had summoned the Australian ambassador to Israel. Prime Minister Yair Lapid of Israel said in a statement: “Jerusalem is the eternal and united capital of Israel, and nothing will ever change that.”
Palestinian leaders praised the decision. Rawhi Fattouh, a senior official in the Palestine Liberation Organization, said: “We highly appreciate this step and the position of the Australian government, and we consider it a step in the right direction.”Palestinian leaders praised the decision. Rawhi Fattouh, a senior official in the Palestine Liberation Organization, said: “We highly appreciate this step and the position of the Australian government, and we consider it a step in the right direction.”
Mr. Morrison, the former Australian prime minister, had first publicly discussed the idea of recognition during a pivotal local election in May 2018, and critics called it an attempt to win extra supporters in a voting district with a large Jewish population. Mr. Morrison, the former Australian prime minister, had first publicly discussed the idea of recognition during a pivotal local election in October 2018, and critics called it an attempt to win extra supporters in a voting district with a large Jewish population.
The center-left Labor Party, which defeated Mr. Morrison’s party in elections earlier this year, was highly critical of his decision at the time, calling it “reckless and foolish,” and promised to rescind it once it came to power.The center-left Labor Party, which defeated Mr. Morrison’s party in elections earlier this year, was highly critical of his decision at the time, calling it “reckless and foolish,” and promised to rescind it once it came to power.
Under a United Nations plan to partition Palestine drawn up in 1947, Jerusalem was meant to become an international zone once British control of the territory lapsed. Instead its western section was captured by Israeli troops during the Arab-Israeli war of 1948, while Jordan took control of its eastern portion.Under a United Nations plan to partition Palestine drawn up in 1947, Jerusalem was meant to become an international zone once British control of the territory lapsed. Instead its western section was captured by Israeli troops during the Arab-Israeli war of 1948, while Jordan took control of its eastern portion.
During the Arab-Israeli war of 1967, Israel captured Jerusalem’s eastern section from Jordan and later annexed it. The final status of the city has been considered one of the most intractable parts of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ever since.During the Arab-Israeli war of 1967, Israel captured Jerusalem’s eastern section from Jordan and later annexed it. The final status of the city has been considered one of the most intractable parts of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ever since.
The British prime minister, Liz Truss, is reviewing the location of Britain’s embassy in Israel, Ms. Truss’s office announced last month. The British Embassy is in Tel Aviv, and Britain does not formally recognize Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem.The British prime minister, Liz Truss, is reviewing the location of Britain’s embassy in Israel, Ms. Truss’s office announced last month. The British Embassy is in Tel Aviv, and Britain does not formally recognize Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem.
Myra Noveck reported from Jerusalem, and Yan Zhuang from Sydney. Hiba Yazbek and Gabby Sobelman contributed reporting.Myra Noveck reported from Jerusalem, and Yan Zhuang from Sydney. Hiba Yazbek and Gabby Sobelman contributed reporting.