Israel says Australia considering moving embassy to Jerusalem

Australia is considering recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving its embassy to Jerusalem, according to a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu spoke on the phone on Monday with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who informed the Israeli leader that he was "weighing officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving the Australian embassy to Jerusalem," according to a readout of the call from Israel's Prime Minister's Office.

During a press conference in Canberra Tuesday, Morrison told reporters that a decision is yet to be made about whether to relocate the Australian Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

He said, "No decision has been made in regarding the recognition of the capital or the movement of an embassy," but that Australia's "government is open-minded about this."

He added that, in the next few months, he would "confer with cabinet colleagues" and "with other leaders around the world to gauge the perception of this and to make the case."

Morrison also reiterated Australia's commitment "to a two-state solution," but added: "Frankly, it hasn't been going that well. Not a lot of progress has been made."

He added that "recognition of the capital or the movement of an embassy" were two separate issues.

I spoke today with Australian PM @ScottMorrisonMP. He informed me that he is considering officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel & moving the Australian embassy to Jerusalem. I’m very thankful to him for this. We will continue to strengthen ties between & !

The move would make Australia the third country to have its embassy in Jerusalem, joining the United States and Guatemala.

Paraguay had initially moved its embassy to Jerusalem following America's lead, but the country's new leader reversed the decision recently.

Netanyahu and Morrison also reportedly spoke about ways to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

The United States officially relocated its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. US President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, attended the ceremony.

Trump's decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel and relocate the embassy was contentious for Palestinians, who hope to claim part of the city including Muslim shrines as their future capital. The city is also home to deeply holy sites for Jews and Christians.