Prime Minister Scott Morrison's decision to recognise West Jerusalem as Israel's capital was a hot topic during the Monday talkback segment during the SBS Arabic24 program 'Good Morning Australia'.
Although opinions varied between the more than 20 callers, the majority were critical of the government's move, with many claiming that it was not well thought out and didn’t satisfy either party.
Australia formally recognises West Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Saturday, reversing decades of Middle East policy, but Mr Morrison said the country would not move its embassy there immediately.
Israel described the move as a step in the right direction. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said the announcement was born of Australian "petty domestic politics."
Morrison also confirmed Australia's support for a two-state solution with a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem, a call that Indonesia pressed for in its post-announcement response.
Talkback response
Caller Mr Hassan Moussa said he didn't know why the prime minister took such a stance.
"Australia doesn’t have to break out of international agreements especially because it abides by international laws and conventions,” he said.
“The prime minister implicated Australia into the political mess of the Middle East, our decision didn’t help anyone, and on the contrary, it annoyed all parties involved.”
Caller Mrs Khoulud had a similar opinion as she believed “the Australian decision was not well calculated and sprung from political despair".
A view of the Dome of the Rock shrine and the Western (wailing) wall in the old city of Jerusalem Source: AAP
“The prime minister allowed internal party politics affect international decisions,” Mrs Khoulud said.
Meanwhile, caller Mr Salam didn't think the decision was “very clever”.
“The decision is moderate and acts as a (shock absorber) for everyone. I am glad that the PM is considering the possibility that East Jerusalem will one day be recognised as the Palestinian capital.”
Caller Mr Tarek held an opposing view.
“Morrison’s decision upsets everyone; it upsets the Muslims, the Jews, the Arabs and the Indonesians.”
Mr Shaaban supported the previous opinion and added that the prime minister "put his party’s interest over the country’s interest. Morrison risked Australia’s reputation in this decision especially that it did not please anyone".
Caller Abdallah supported Mr Morrison's move, saying he believed that Jerusalem was the "eternal capital" of the Jewish state and that any discussion about the topic didn't change the reality of what's happening on the ground right now.
SBS Arabic24 also received a strong response on Facebook, with one commenter criticising Indonesia's comments following Mr Morrison's announcement.
Amer Salim said: “Indonesia’s demand from Australia to promptly recognise the State of Palestine is a blatant interference in Australia’s free decision and independence. We reject this demand. Each country has its own sovereignty, decisions and independence.”
Commenter Wilson Boulous said: “No one has the right to interfere in our decisions.”
