Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday a billion-dollar free trade agreement with Indonesia will be signed this year, despite Indonesian concern over an Australian proposal to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
Morrison said on Tuesday he was open to Australia moving its mission from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as the United States did in May to the delight of Israel but to the fury of Palestinians.
Morrison's willingness to reverse decades of foreign policy and follow the U.S. lead alienated many of Australia's Asian neighbours that have close alliances with Palestinians.
Palestine decried Australia announcing it will consider moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, calling any such move a violation of international law."We are disheartened by hearing such news. Australia clearly does not respect UN Security Council resolutions," said Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki on Tuesday, visiting Jakarta, Indonesia.Al-Maliki warned Australia is risking its trade and business relations with the world, especially Arab and Muslim countries."I hope Australia will reconsider its plans before taking such action," he said.The possible move was announced by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, while adding that his country would continue to support a two-state solution for Israeli-Palestinian issues.Al-Maliki also praised Indonesian leaders for contacting Morrison immediately to protest the idea."The communication between Indonesian and Australian officials is very helpful to remind Australia that this step is inappropriate and violates international law," he said.OIC warns Australia over Jerusalem embassy moveIndonesian, Australian leaders talk JerusalemIndonesian President Joko Widodo "has talked with the Australian premier as this is an important and serious matter for Indonesia,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir.Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also spoke with her Australian counterpart and Morrison.“Indonesia continues to support a two-state solution,” Marsudi told a joint press conference alongside al-Maliki.“We hope Australia will also respect UN Security Council resolutions, support the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, and not take steps which could harm world stability,” she added.She stressed that a two-state solution is the basic principle that must be maintained to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace.Palestine slams Australia’s Jerusalem embassy move
Palestine decries Australia mulling embassy move
It also drew condemnation from 13 Arab ambassadors in Australia who called the suggestion regrettable and asked Morrison to reconsider, or risk damaging Australian ties in the region.
Morrison, who faces a critical by-election on Saturday that will determine whether his government keeps its one-seat majority, said his government had been assured Indonesia would honour its commitment to the deal worth more than A$16 billion ($11.4 billion).
"There's been direct communication between myself and the president as well as between our foreign ministers and with the trade ministers," Morrison told reporters in Canberra, referring to Indonesia's President Joko Widodo.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday warned Australia of “grave consequences” of relocating the country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.In a statement, the Jeddah-based body called on Canberra “not to take such an illegal step, which constitutes a violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions”.OIC Secretary-General Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen said Jerusalem is part of Palestinian land occupied by Israel in 1967.“[OIC] rejects any action or attempt that would prejudice the legal status of the occupied city of Jerusalem,” he said in the statement.Palestine slams Australia’s Jerusalem embassy moveHe went on to call on Australia to support the two-state solution with a view to achieving peace and promoting regional and world security.Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that he was “open to” relocating his country’s embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing the city as the capital of Israel.“We’re committed to a two-state solution, but frankly, it hasn’t been going that well,” Morrison said. “Not a lot of progress has been made. And you don’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.” Morrison said the idea was suggested to him by former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma, who is a candidate for the ruling conservative Liberal Party in a by-election Saturday in a Sydney electorate with a large Jewish population.Australia's shift in Israel policy could hurt ties with Arab nations, Egypt envoy saysIn December, U.S. President Donald Trump triggered world outcry after unveiling plans to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and declare the city as the capital of Israel.Ever since, the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah has rejected any U.S. role in the stumbling Middle East peace process.Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
OIC warns Australia over Jerusalem embassy move
"The Indonesian trade minister has made it very clear on the public record that is not an issue of concern to them," he said.
Indonesia is the world's biggest Muslim-majority country, where the Palestinian question is a sensitive issue and tens of thousands protested against Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, speaking at a news conference with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki in Jakarta on Tuesday, called on Australia to avoid any step that would threaten efforts to forge peace in the Middle East.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday condemned Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s signal that he was considering the relocation of the Australian Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.“Considering this issue [moving the embassy] is against international law and UN resolutions," the ministry said in a statement.“[This move] hinders the achievement of peace and encourages Israel not to sit down and negotiate with the Palestinians,” it warned.Morrison said that he was “open to” relocating his country’s embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing the city as the capital of Israel.Israeli policewoman shot Palestinian for ‘fun’“We’re committed to a two-state solution, but frankly, it hasn’t been going that well,” Morrison said. “Not a lot of progress has been made. And you don’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.”Morrison said the idea was suggested to him by former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma, who is a candidate for the ruling conservative Liberal Party in a by-election Saturday in a Sydney electorate with a large Jewish population.In December, U.S. President Donald Trump triggered world outcry after unveiling plans to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and declare the city the capital of Israel.Australia's shift in Israel policy could hurt ties with Arab nations, Egypt envoy saysEver since, the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah has rejected any U.S. role in the stumbling Middle East peace process.Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
Palestine slams Australia’s Jerusalem embassy move
BEEF AND BY-ELECTION
The trade agreement, which has been in the works for nearly a decade, offers Australia a chance to boost rural exports, which dominates two-way trade.
Indonesia is a major importer of wheat and beef and bought more than A$3 billion of Australian agricultural commodities in 2017, according to government data.
Fiona Simson, president of Australia's National Farmers Federation, which represents the rural sector, cautioned Morrison against any move that would threaten exports.
The Council of Arab Ambassadors said in a statement issued on its behalf by Egypt's envoy to Australia, said it was very worrying that Morrison would entertain the idea of shifting Australia's embassy.
Ambassadors from 13 Arab countries met in Canberra on Tuesday, concerned that Australia's move to consider recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital could damage peace prospects there, Egypt's ambassador said.Earlier on Tuesday, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the unexpected announcement that he was "open minded" about recognising Jerusalem and possibly moving Australia's embassy there.That prompted the 13 ambassadors to call a meeting in the Australian capital, Mohamed Khairat, Egypt's ambassador to Australia told Reuters by telephone."We have agreed that we will send a letter to the foreign minister expressing our worries and our concern about such a statement," he said."Any decision like that might damage the peace process ... this will have very negative implications on the relations between Australia and not only Arab countries but many other (Islamic countries) as well." Palestine thanks Indonesia for support to causeIsrael arrests four activists in E. J'lem Bedouin hamletDozens hurt as Israeli army shuts West Bank school
Australia's shift in Israel policy could hurt ties with Arab nations, Egypt envoy says
"Any decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital or to relocate the Australian embassy would legitimise the status quo and affirm Israel’s claims to the entire city," it said.
The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel regards all of the city, including the eastern sector that it annexed after the 1967 Middle East war, as its capital.
While raising concern among rural voters worried about exports, Morrison's potential policy shift could help his government retain its one- seat parliamentary majority.
Voters in the Sydney electorate of Wentworth will decide on Saturday who will replace former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who quit politics after he was ousted in a party revolt in August.
Wentworth is home to a large Jewish community. Census figures show 12.5 percent of people in Wentworth are Jewish, a larger proportion than anywhere else in Australia.
The candidate contesting the by-election for Morrison's Liberal party, Dave Sharma, is a former ambassador to Israel who was credited with the idea to relocate the embassy.