Israel embassy move 'less than 5 per cent' likely: Australia reportedly tells Indonesia

Fairfax Media reports a member of the Australian government messaged Indonesian counterparts telling them there was ‘less than 5 per cent’ chance the embassy would move.

The Australian government is reportedly downplaying the chances Scott Morrison will go through with a proposal to move Australia’s diplomatic outpost in Israel in its private conversations with Indonesian ministers.

The Morrison government is still trying to finalise a highly anticipated trade deal with Indonesia, ideally this year, but is facing a backlash from Jakarta over its announcement it would ‘consider’ a shift in Middle East policy.

Fairfax Media reports the Australian side have told Indonesian ministers in Singapore, where the ASEAN summit is underway, there is only a “five per cent chance” the embassy move will really happen.

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