Amid swirling rumors, Australia’s cabinet met Tuesday to discuss recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, although a senior lawmaker thereafter stressed that the decision is “still pending.” After publicly backing the move in October, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison increasingly has come under fire from Muslim neighbors including Malaysia and Indonesia, the latter of which warned that such a declaration could end efforts to forge a long-sought bilateral free trade agreement. For his part, chief Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat called on “Arab and Muslim countries to sever all relations with Australia, if it recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.” Australian media reported that a decision could be announced as early as Wednesday, while noting that Canberra is not expected to formally relocate its embassy to Jerusalem due to the projected $200 million cost.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
