Calls for the Australian Government to: recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and move the Australian Embassy to Western Jerusalem.
Full motion and speech
Senator ANNING (Queensland) (16:36): I move:
That the Senate—
(a) notes the religious and historical significance of Jerusalem; and
(b) calls for the Australian Government to:
(i) recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and
(ii) move the Australian Embassy to the western side of Jerusalem, which in any scenario for peace is not disputed.
I seek leave to make a short statement.
The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute.
Senator ANNING: Australia has a long, shared history with the Jewish state of Israel. That history dates back to the heroic charge of the Light Horse Brigade at Beersheba on 31 October 1917. The act of gallantry and courage saw the Allied forces liberate much of Palestine from the yoke of the Muslim Ottoman Empire.
Furthermore, Jerusalem, the eternal city, is a location of significant importance for the Jewish and Christian faiths, and it is only fitting that we acknowledge our religious and cultural heritage by moving our embassy to the eternal city. Jerusalem is the home of the Israeli government and the capital of Israel. It is about time Australia accepted this and followed the courageous steps taken by the President of the United States.