Hamas condemns Australia’s “hostile” Jerusalem move

Hamas on Tuesday issued an official statement denouncing Australia for its decision to recognize western Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The statement noted that Australia’s decision “is hostile to the Palestinian people and its national rights and stands in stark contrast to all the international resolutions that Australia has voted for in the past.”

Hamas stressed that the decision would harm Australia’s reputation and affect relations between the two peoples which had been based on mutual respect and non-intervention in the internal affairs of the other. It called on the Australian prime minister to rescind his decision.

Hamas also reiterated its firm position that completely dismisses the normalization of ties between Arab states and the Israeli occupation, which, the group said, is a stab in the back of the Palestinian people, a violation of their rights, and a cover for Israeli crimes.

Hamas also slammed Bahrain for welcoming Australia’s move after the Bahraini Foreign Minister, Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, said that “Australia’s position does not hamper the legitimate demands of the Palestinians”.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Saturday that his country officially recognizes western Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, though he stressed that the Australian embassy would not move to occupied Jerusalem until a peace agreement was reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The move was criticized by the PA, whose chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said it was contrary to UN resolutions.