Translation by " Jerusalem " dot com - Australia has officially revoked its recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of "Israel", thus reversing the decision taken by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2018.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said her government believed the issue should be resolved as part of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, and that her country would not support an approach opposing that possibility.

She added: The Australian embassy has always been in Tel Aviv and will remain there. We are committed to the two-state solution, a future Palestinian state, and Israel side by side, in peace and security and within borders recognized by the international community.

And she continued: We renew our commitment to contributing to international efforts and working towards the two-state solution, which is a just and lasting solution.

And she continued: “Australia will always remain a loyal friend to Israel .. We were one of the first countries to officially recognize it and our government will never back down from its support for Israel and the Jewish community in the country. Likewise, we have steadfastly supported the Palestinian people, providing them with humanitarian support every year since 1951, Therefore, we call for the resumption of peace negotiations."

In response, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that it would summon the Australian ambassador in the coming hours and provide an official response to this step.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said the decision was taken in a hasty manner in response to some incorrect news in the media, and we can only hope that the Australian government will be more serious about other matters.

He added, "Jerusalem is the eternal capital of a united Israel, and nothing will ever change it," as he put it.