Indonesia warns Australia against Israel embassy transfer

Indonesia has warned Australia against moving its diplomatic mission to Jerusalem al-Quds after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison suggested a possible embassy transfer earlier this week.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir underlined the sensitivity of Australia’s decision, saying “the issue of Palestine is very important to Indonesia and the people of Indonesia.”

“Of course we will adjust our policy or our actions depending on the situation but again, I will not even try to predict what actions we will take,” he said in a statement to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Totok Sugiharto also warned of a possible revision in military cooperation to see whether its continuation “is beneficial for both parties.”

Australia had previously ruled out any prospect of an embassy transfer in June, but Morrison’s recent bid to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital” may mark a change in Australia’s foreign policy that is similar to that of Trump’s, according to observers.

The prime minister has also called for a review of the Iran nuclear deal.