On 14 May 2018, many in the Israeli Knesset (parliament) celebrated USA's Israel embassy move from Tel Aviv (where embassies are located) to Jerusalem. The move is fraught with political and religious agendas. For evangelical Christians like Vice President Mike Pence, it is the first step in bringing forth the 'Rapture', a key to the second coming of Christ.
For many Jews, the move serves as recognition of Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel. It has great political ramifications for the peace process. During the 1967 War, Israel annexed East Jerusalem, resulting in looting, killing and displacement of Palestinians. East Jerusalem has long been recognised by the international community as the capital for a Palestinian state.
Julie Bishop, Australia's Foreign Minister, said in response that Australia will not follow suit: 'the Australian government will not be moving our embassy to Jerusalem'. Since Bishop's statement in June 2018 there has been much water under the proverbial bridge. Leadership changes in the Liberal Party meant that then Prime Minster Turnbull was removed, replaced by Scott Morrison.
Like Pence, Morrison is an evangelical Christian and staunchly on the political right. His statement that he's considering recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital comes at an opportune time.
With Turnbull resigning from Parliament, his seat in eastern Sydney's Wentworth is up for re-election. This presents a problem for the Liberal government. Turnbull was a popular politician. Opinion polls show the Liberal vote dropped after his ousting by Morrison.
I believe Morrison's embassy move is a political stunt targeted at Wentworth's Jewish population. While the overall Australian Jewish population is about 0.4 per cent (91,022 people identified as Jewish in the 2016 Census), they constitute about 12.5 per cent of the Wentworth electorate, with Christianity the largest religious group overall (43.8 per cent). It is highly likely the LNP is counting on the embassy stunt to result in more votes in the Wentworth by-election.
While the Prime Minister's statement is a blatant appeal to the 'Jewish vote' in order to salvage the Wentworth seat, it has broader political ramifications.
"Morrison's indication he's considering moving the Australian embassy will embolden Netanyahu's oppressive hold over Palestinians living in already precarious conditions."
Yet again, the issue of Palestine and Palestinians themselves are used as a political football in domestic politics. The situation in Israel and Palestine is increasingly volatile. In 2014, thousands were killed in Israel's bloody attack of Gaza, a place that is 'in the throes of a manmade humanitarian disaster' according to Israeli human rights organisation B'tselem.
The US embassy's move to Jerusalem fanned flames in this already strained political climate. Morrison's declaration of his intentions to move the Australian embassy to Jerusalem will no doubt be received warmly by Netanyahu's Likkud government and its openly racist ministers.
Following in Trump's footsteps, the Prime Minister's statement can mean a disaster for Australia's relationship with Muslim and other Middle-Eastern countries. Not only this; it throws Australia's Palestinian population under the bus.
Morrison has stated that 'Australia's position on this issue has, to date, assumed that it is not possible to consider the question of the recognition of Israel's capital in Jerusalem and that be consistent with pursuing a two-state solution,' arguing that 'You can achieve both and indeed by pursuing both you are actually aiding the cause for a two-state solution.' This is a bizzarrely simplistic argument.
To recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel erases any future potential for Palestinian sovereignty, effectively adding another nail to the 'two-state solution' coffin. At a time when Palestinians are being forcably removed from their homes in East Jerusalem to make room for more settlements, and army bulldozers, police, and military are injuring protestors and residents, Morrison's indication he's considering moving the Australian embassy will no doubt embolden Netanyahu's oppressive hold over Palestinians living in already precarious conditions.
Palestinian lives and Palestinian sovereignty are not a political football to throw around when your polling is down. If Morrison wants to get involved in Israeli politics, he can commit to engaging Israel in serious conversations around its mistreatment and abuse of Palestinians. For now, he should keep the embassy where it is, and suffer the consequences of his leadership bid.
Na'ama Carlin holds a PhD in Sociology. A dual Israeli-Australian citizen, she writes about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ethics, identity, and violence. Follow her @derridalicious