Qatar welcomed Australia's announcement to cancel the previous government's recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and considered that "the decision would support international efforts aimed at achieving a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace."

In a statement received by Al Jazeera Net, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar's aspiration for similar decisions by countries that recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, consistent with international consensus and resolutions of international legitimacy.

The ministry also warned against unilateral steps that could undermine the principle of the two-state solution, and at the same time reiterated Qatar's "steadfast position on the justice of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, and the establishment of its independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital."

Australia announced earlier today, Tuesday, to cancel its recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing the decision taken by the previous government led by Scott Morrison, which officially recognized West Jerusalem in 2018 as the capital of Israel, in a departure from Australian norms followed towards the Middle East for decades.

Israeli criticism

Hours after this step taken by the Labor government led by Anthony Albanese, the Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned the Australian ambassador, according to what was reported by the Israeli Army Radio.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid also criticized the Australian move, describing it as a "hasty response," adding, "We can only hope that the Australian government will deal with other issues in a more serious and professional manner."

The Prime Minister added - in a statement issued by his office - that "Jerusalem is the eternal and unified capital of Israel, and nothing will change that," he said.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (European)

Palestinian welcome

In turn, the Palestinian Authority welcomed the move, and the Minister of Civil Affairs and Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hussein al-Sheikh, said - in a tweet on Twitter - "We appreciate Australia's decision on Jerusalem, its call for a two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy, and its affirmation that the future of sovereignty over Jerusalem depends on the existing permanent solution." international legitimacy, which is the two-state solution.”

Ammar Hijazi, Assistant Palestinian Foreign Minister for Multilateral Relations, told AFP, "The Australian position is to correct a mistake made by the previous government, and we encourage that, as do the rest of the countries with which our contacts do not stop in this regard."

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) also welcomed the Australian decision, describing it as "a step in the right direction, and it opens the way for all countries of the world to correct the sin of recognizing Israel and victory for the Palestinian right."

Arabic and Islamic welcome

For its part, the Arab Parliament praised Australia's decision to reverse its recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and considered in a statement today that this decision is in line with international law and resolutions of international legitimacy, and that it would enhance opportunities for peace and achieve security and stability in the region.

The Arab Parliament called on the Australian government to recognize the State of Palestine and its capital, the city of Jerusalem, "to be added to the wise decision that expresses Australia's respect for the values ​​of truth, justice and freedom."

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (comprising 57 countries) also welcomed the Australian government's announcement of its retraction from recognizing West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and said in a statement that it "considers this step as important and consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions."

She added that the Australian government's announcement "supports international efforts to revive the path of peace and achieve security and stability in the region," and the organization called "all countries that have recognized Jerusalem as the alleged capital of Israel to retract their positions in violation of international legitimacy."