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October 18, 2022

Australia Reverses Prior Government's Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital
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The White House said Monday that President Joe Biden will host Israel's
President Isaac Herzog during an official visit next week. His planned
trip will come less than a week before Israel holds nationwide
legislative elections on November 1. 

Meanwhile, Australia's government has reversed a decision by the
conservative former Prime Minister Scott Morrison to recognize West
Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, even though Israel has
illegally occupied East Jerusalem since 1967. Morrison's move came after
President Trump relocated the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem,
sparking international protests. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
spoke from Canberra earlier today.

Penny Wong: "Today the government has reaffirmed Australia's previous
and long-standing position that Jerusalem is a final status issue, and a
final status issue that should be resolved as part of any peace
negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian peoples. This reverses
the Morrison government's recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital
of Israel."



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