17th of December 2018  PRESS RELEASE 

ANIC Expresses its Strong Disapproval of the Recent Anouncement made by the PM Yesterday 

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) expresses its strong disapproval of the recent announcement made by the Australian Prime Minister yesterday in recognising West Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel.

The recent announcement will likely escalate existing tensions and further complicate the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.

Australia can play a vital and impartial role in resolving this ongoing conflict that has led to the death of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians and the displacement of many more.

It is important that the Australian Government honours its commitment to the Palestinians.

In 1947, Australia voted to divide Palestine, then recognised the state of Israel in 1948, but as yet has failed to recognise the state of Palestine; and to grant the state of Palestine full diplomatic rights.

It is also important to act in the support of the right of Palestinians for self-determination.

Israel’s continued illegal expansion of ‘Jewish only’ settlements on occupied Palestinian land is in flagrant contravention of international law, impacting on, and impeding, a peaceful ,workable solution.

The Australian National Imams Council strongly urges the PM and the Australian government to reverse their decision on recognising West Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel and to recognise the state of Palestine.