By reversing the decision taken by the previous government to recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the current authorities of Australia stirred the agitated and thorny political scenario towards peace in the Middle East.
By Roberto Morejón
By reversing the decision taken by the previous government to recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the current authorities of Australia stirred the agitated and thorny political scenario towards peace in the Middle East.
The Labor government led by Anthony Albanese reversed the determination of his predecessor, Scott Morrison, a step taken shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump broke the international consensus.
The Republican did so by admitting the Holy City as the capital of Israel and transferring its embassy there, until then located in Tel Aviv.
Trump's controversial move generated annoyance and repulsion, and Morrison's accession provoked the same reaction.
That is why the Israeli regime is now enraged by the determination of the current Australian government, which said it reaffirmed a criterion that the situation of Jerusalem is a final status issue, i.e., it must be resolved as part of peace negotiations.
Indeed, until Trump's uncharacteristic outburst, the international community was reluctant to make proclamations regarding Jerusalem prior to the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which is now bogged down.
So controversial was the former US president's gamble that only three states subsequently established their embassies in Jerusalem. They are Guatemala, Honduras and Kosovo, the latter a territory with limited recognition.
Emboldened by Trump's endorsement, the Israeli regime was counting on more adherents in Washington and to make diplomatic inroads in the Levant.
Australia's recent diplomatic move puts Tel Aviv's plans on hold and emphasizes the more coherent line, prioritizing peace negotiations in the quest for progress towards a just two-state solution.
For the UN, the status of Jerusalem should be the subject of an agreement between Palestinians and Israelis and, in the meantime, countries should not establish diplomatic headquarters there.
As is well known, the city is home to sites deeply sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 in the Six-Day War and then annexed it, declaring it "eternal and indivisible capital".
This position, together with the widespread construction of settlements in the West Bank, makes a peaceful solution to the regional conflict more difficult, something to which the Canberra agreement does contribute.
