“Australia remains a longstanding friend and strong supporter of Israel.”

In an additional statement provided late on Monday night,the spokeswoman said:“The former government made the decision to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

No decision to change that has been made by the government.”

In 2018 Wong criticised the decision to recognise West Jerusalem as a “unilateral,risky decision”,describing it as “all risk for no gain”.

Malaysia alsolashed out at the decision,describing it as a “humiliation” of the Palestinians and their quest for a homeland.

The Trump administration,by contrast,applauded the Morrison government’s move as “a step in the right direction” and a “recognition of reality”.

Australia’s decision acknowledged the fact Jerusalem had been the seat of the modern Israeli government for 70 years and was the home of its parliament and Supreme Court,the Trump administration said.

Most countries believe an Israeli capital in West Jerusalem and Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem would be the logical result of a two-state solution,but the prospect of such a solution has dimmed lately.

Morrison explained his decision at the time by saying peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine had reached a “rancid stalemate” and a new approach was needed.

“Slavish adherence to the conventional wisdom over decades appears only to be further entrenching this stalemate,providing a leave pass for continued inaction,” he said.

Israel’s embassy in Canberra has been contacted for comment.

The Australia/Israel&Jewish Affairs Council said it could not comment because staff were observing a Jewish holiday.

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