Tuesday's announcement that Australia would no longer recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has drawn a rebuke from their ally but follows the former government's failure to shift its embassy from Tel Aviv.
In 2018 the Liberal-National Coalition government under the latter leadership of Scott Morrison adopted support for the Jerusalem position advocated in December 2017 by then US president Donald Trump.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Tuesday:
"I regret that Mr Morrison’s decision to play politics resulted in Australia’s shifting position, and the distress these shifts have caused to many people in the Australian community who care deeply about this issue."
Yet one Jewish person and his community who care deeply about the issue is Labor's own federal MP, Josh Burns, who said on Twitter on Wednesday:
"I didn't like the Morrison government playing politics with these sensitive issues, and it's my view any further alteration to Australia's policy needed to be considered extremely carefully ... to my disappointment, this did not happen," he wrote.
"People in my electorate and across Australia are hurt by this decision and to be honest, so am I."
Mr Burns said he would focus on rebuilding trust between his government and Australia's Jewish community.
The Australian government about-face occurred during the season when Jewish people celebrate their special connection to Jersualem and the temples that once stood in their capital.
Israel demanded an explanation within hours, summoning Australia's ambassador for a reprimand whilst Prime Minister Yair Lapid - also foreign minister - said it was 'a hasty response to an incorrect report in the media' and that:
"Jerusalem is the eternal and united capital of Israel, and nothing will change that."
Embattled new British prime minister Liz Truss has faced a tax cut storm that has overshadowed one of her other policy positions - to move the United Kingdom's embassy to Jerusalem.
The United States of America moved their embassy to Jerusalem in May 2018 and despite complaints it would set back the peace process, in September 2020 the Abraham Accords were signed between Israel and Gulf states.
However, Australian Labor and Greens Party politicians have regularly advocated that a two-state solution acknowledging the sovereignty of Palestine as a nation and over Jerusalem was key to the Israel-Palestine peace process.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry attacked the government and branded the reversal as "a gratuitous insult to a key economic and strategic ally", declaring in a statement:
"This decision panders to the most extreme elements of the Labor Party and will also serve as a disincentive for the Palestinians to return to negotiations.
"The arguments advanced by opponents of recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, namely that it would ignite unrest in the Arab world, were shown to be manipulative and inaccurate."
A spokeswoman for Mr Morrison told AAP the decision was disappointing:
"(It) represents a further diminution in Australia's support for the state of Israel by the Labor government from the high water mark established by the Morrison government."
However, Minister Wong said Australia's support for Israel remains resolute:
"Australia will always be a steadfast friend of Israel. We were among the first countries to formally recognise Israel under Labor Prime Minister Ben Chifley. This Government will not waver in its support of Israel and the Jewish community in Australia."
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