Prime Minister Scott Morrison
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."
Indonesian President Joko Widodo received Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki on Monday at the presidential palace in Jakarta.Al-Maliki expressed his country’s gratitude to Indonesia for their support during the meeting.“Where the Palestinian issue is discussed anywhere in the world, I see Indonesia stood by us,” he said.Israel arrests 4 activists in Bedouin hamletThe top diplomat also conveyed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' regards for Widodo and Indonesian people.Al-Maliki also attended the solidarity week activities for Palestine which commenced on Saturday in Bandung city and capital Jakarta.Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi accompanied al-Maliki during the visit."Palestinians thanked Indonesia for its continued support. Indonesia’s support is not just political it’s also economical," Retno said.Syria, Israel reopen main border crossing
Palestine thanks Indonesia for support to cause
Israeli forces on Monday rounded up four activists, including a foreigner, during a rally in support of a Bedouin hamlet in East Jerusalem, which is at the risk of demolition by Israeli authorities.“Scores of activists stood up against an Israeli military force and bulldozers that stormed the Khan Al-Ahmar community and forced them out of the area,” Abdullah Abu Rahma, the coordinator of a local committee overseeing Israeli settlement building in the area, told Anadolu Agency.He said four activists, including a foreigner, were detained by Israeli forces.“We will stand up against any Israeli attempt to demolish the Khan Al-Ahmar community,” Abu Rahma said.On Sept. 5, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled to demolish the Bedouin community and evict its inhabitants.Israeli settlers destroy olive groves near NablusProtests won’t stop until Gaza siege lifted: HaniyehIsrael plans to expel some 10,000 Bedouin residents of what is known as the E1 Zone, which sits on 15 square kilometers (5.8 square miles) of land in East Jerusalem, to make way for housing units linking Jerusalem to the Ma'ale Adumim settlement.If implemented, the plan would effectively cut the West Bank in two, preempting the possibility of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders.In early July, Israeli bulldozers destroyed a number of tents and other structures in Khan Al-Ahmar, sparking clashes with local residents.There are 46 Bedouin communities -- inhabited by some 3,000 residents -- scattered across Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.Under the 1995 Oslo agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA), the West Bank -- including East Jerusalem -- was divided into Areas A, B and C.Area A falls under the administrative and security control of the PA; Area B falls under the administrative control of the PA and the security control of Israel; and Area C -- in which Khan Al-Ahmar is located -- falls under the administrative and security control of Israel.Israel’s Netanyahu threatens Hamas with ‘very strong blows’Israel bans fuel shipments into Gaza
Israel arrests four activists in E. J'lem Bedouin hamlet
The Israeli army on Monday used rubber bullets and tear gas canisters to disperse Palestinian students and officials defying an Israeli order to close a school in the West Bank city of Nablus.On Sunday, Israeli authorities ordered the closure of the Al-Laban-Al-Sawiya school in Nablus on the pretext that students had hurled stones at Israeli soldiers and settlers.Despite the order, students and local officials attempted to reopen the school, prompting Israeli forces to use rubber bullets and tear gas canisters to disperse them.Video: Dozens hurt as Israeli army shuts West Bank schoolMunicipal council chief Samer Eweis was injured by a rubber bullet and AFP photojournalist, Jaafar Ashtiyeh, was hospitalized after being hit in the head by a gas canister, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent.Dozens of Palestinians students also suffered temporary asphyxiation after inhaling tear gas fired by Israeli forces and were treated on the spot.The school was attacked by settlers a few months ago and is constantly being attacked by the Israeli army, according to Palestinian residents.Israel arrests 22 Palestinians in West Bank raidsIsraeli settlement building ‘accelerating’: Arab LeagueJordan and Syria reopen Nassib border crossing
Dozens hurt as Israeli army shuts West Bank school