Australia recognizes West Jerusalem as capital of Israel

00:22

Australia will recognize West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Saturday.

However, the prime minister also announced his support for recognizing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital in the future.

The Australian embassy will remain in Tel Aviv until the status of Jerusalem is determined under a peace deal between Israel and Palestine.

The announcement comes almost exactly one year after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

(Top image, file photo: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a press conference in Sydney, November 22, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency