PLO official responding to Australian recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital: “No part of [Jerusalem] can be recognized as Israel’s capital"
Official PA TV, on Australia’s decision to recognize “West Jerusalem” as Israel’s capital, telephone interview with PLO Executive Committee member and head of the PLO Department of Diplomacy and Public Policy Hanan Ashrawi
PLO Executive Committee member and head of the PLO Department of Diplomacy and Public Policy Hanan Ashrawi: “[Australian Prime Minister Scott] Morrison wanted to say that there’s a compromise. This compromise is completely unacceptable. We do not want the acceptance or recognition of West Jerusalem as he said – and as Russia did [on April 6, 2017] – [as] Israel’s capital, because all of Jerusalem is subject to the illegal Israeli annexation, and no part of it can be recognized as Israel’s capital… We ask Morrison to take it back. Actually, there was a sharp response to this maneuver through which he attempted to appease his extremist right-wing voters, and particularly the Zionist Christian voters and the Israeli lobby in Australia.”
Australia recognized “West Jerusalem” as Israel’s capital on Dec. 15, 2018. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the move in a speech, saying: “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.” Morrison also said Australia will recognize “East Jerusalem” as the capital of a future state of “Palestine” following a peace deal.
PLO Executive Committee member and head of the PLO Department of Diplomacy and Public Policy Hanan Ashrawi: “[Australian Prime Minister Scott] Morrison wanted to say that there’s a compromise. This compromise is completely unacceptable. We do not want the acceptance or recognition of West Jerusalem as he said – and as Russia did [on April 6, 2017] – [as] Israel’s capital, because all of Jerusalem is subject to the illegal Israeli annexation, and no part of it can be recognized as Israel’s capital… We ask Morrison to take it back. Actually, there was a sharp response to this maneuver through which he attempted to appease his extremist right-wing voters, and particularly the Zionist Christian voters and the Israeli lobby in Australia.”
Australia recognized “West Jerusalem” as Israel’s capital on Dec. 15, 2018. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the move in a speech, saying: “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.” Morrison also said Australia will recognize “East Jerusalem” as the capital of a future state of “Palestine” following a peace deal.