The Prime Minister’s decision to consider relocating the Israel embassy has opened divisions within the government, not just anger from key regional partners.
While Tony Abbott urged Scott Morrison to go ahead and move it from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Defence Industry Minister Steve Ciobo said his personal view was that the current location is “the right one”.
Mr Morrison’s review sparked anger from Muslim-dominated Indonesia, and Malaysia, with warnings of a rise in terror threats, and Jakarta deep-freezing the signing of a free trade agreement.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, himself Jewish, says the embassy should be moved, but Steve Ciobo said any decision must be made in the national and economic interest.
“There are pros and cons like anything,” Mr Ciobo said.
“Nothing is black and white. There are arguments on both sides.
“My own personal view is that I think the current location of the embassy is the right one. I think that there’s been a strong period where that’s been the case.”
While Mr Ciobo said he’s a strong supporter of Israel, such decisions should be taken “in lockstep with the rest of the world.”
His own view was that if the embassy was moved to West Jerusalem, a future Palestinian post, if ever a two-state solution was achieved, could be located in east Jerusalem.
Mr Abbott said others should not “dictate” Australia’s foreign policy.
He said West Jerusalem was recognised as the capital of Israel and the logical location for our embassy.
He said if we transferred the embassy it should encourage the Palestinians to finally recognise the right of Israel to exist.
The idea of an embassy, in both West and East Jerusalem, is shared by Defence Minister Christopher Pyne.
Mr Morrison has promised a decision before Christmas.
