Australia recognizes West Jerusalem as "Israel's" capital

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Saturday that his country's recognition of West Jerusalem as "Israel's" capital, but a contentious embassy shift from Tel Aviv will not occur until a "peace settlement" is achieved.
In a speech to the Sydney Institute, Morrison also committed to recognizing the aspirations for a future state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital when the city's status is determined in a peace deal.
The Australian government has decided that Australia now recognizes west Jerusalem, as the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government, is the capital of Israel, he said.
The decision respects both a commitment to a two-state solution and longstanding respect for relevant UN Security Council resolutions, he said.
Morrison's mid-October announcement that he was open-minded to following the United States in recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
Critics called it a cynical attempt to win votes in a by-election in October for a Sydney seat with a high Jewish population.
Australia's spy agency warned the move could provoke further violent unrest in Israel, while opposition lawmakers accused the prime minister of cynically pandering to Jewish voters ahead of a crucial by-election.
The consideration had sparked backlash from Muslim-majority Indonesia and Malaysia, threatening a free trade deal, which has now been delayed.
On Friday, Australia warned citizens to take care while travelling in neighboring Muslim-majority Indonesia, as demonstrations have been held in recent weeks around the Australian Embassy in Jakarta ahead of an expected but contentious move by Canberra to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. (end) aab.ss