JAKARTA - Prime Minister Yair Lapid criticized Australia's announcement on Tuesday regarding the cancellation of West Jerusalem's recognition of the Israeli capital, with the Foreign Ministry then summoning the Kangaroo State Ambassador to clarify the matter.
"Given the way decisions are made in Australia, in a hasty response to false news in the media, we can only hope that the Australian government will take other matters more seriously and professionally," PM Lapid said in a statement. October 18th.
"Yerusalem is Israel's eternal capital to unite and nothing will change that," said PM Lapid.
The Foreign Ministry, which is also led by Lapid, said Israel "expressed its deep disappointment at the decision, calling it the result of ill-posed political considerations."
At a faction event for his Yesh Atid party on Tuesday, PM Lapid said, as a general rule, Israel does not define the capital of another country, so other countries should not do so for Israel.
Separately, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion said he regretted hearing Australia's decision.
"Unified Jerusalem has been and will continue to be the capital of Israel forever. This kind of statement does not continue and does not contribute at all," he said in a statement.
However, the Palestinian Authority praised Australia's decision.
"We welcome Australia's decision in connection with Jerusalem & its call for a two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy," Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh said on Twitter.
Sheikh praised Australia's "an affirmation that the future of sovereignty over Jerusalem relies on a permanent solution based on international legitimacy."
As previously reported, the Australian Government overturned the previous government's decision regarding West Jerusalem's recognition of the Israeli capital, assessing the previous decision to cause a change in the position of the Kangaroo Country.
Confirming the support of ruling Labor Parta for Israel and Palestine unshakable, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the country's position was back as before.
Prime Minister Lapid in response to Australia’s announcement:"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
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 18, 2022
"Australia will always be Israel's loyal friend. We are among the first countries to officially recognize Israel under Labor Prime Minister Ben Chifley. This government will not falter in support of Israel and the Jewish community in Australia," Foreign Minister Wong explained.
"We, together, support the Palestinian people, provide humanitarian support every year since 1951 and advocate to continue peace negotiations."
Australia's previous administration, led by former Coalition Prime Minister Scott Morrison, recognized West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 2018, following an announcement made by former US President Donald Trump.
Foreign Minister Wong told reporters PM Morrison's decision "to put Australia out of the international community's majority step" and was met with concern by neighboring Muslim-majority countries, Indonesia, as quoted by Reuters.
"I regret Mr. Morrison's decision to play politics resulted in Australia's shift in position, and suffering from this change has led to many people in the Australian community who are very concerned about this issue," Foreign Minister Wong explained.
To note, Jerusalem is home to very holy sites for Jews, Muslims, and Christians. This issue is so complicated that negotiations between Israel and Palestine have left questions about Jerusalem to the final stages of any peace agreement.
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