The PM was naive to imagine he could significantly shift the Jewish vote and he ignored the overwhelming weight of informed opinion.
Tony Abbott has urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to proceed with a controversial shift in policy on Israel despite a warning from Malaysia that the move could fuel terrorism and concerns from Indonesia over a $16.5 billion trade deal.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had"form"."He has called Jews'hooked-nosed people'. He has questioned the number of people that have been killed in the Holocaust."
Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad warns Scott Morrison that Israeli embassy issue could increase terrorism.
Backbenchers liken the PM's decision to the “captain’s call” by Tony Abbott to knight Prince Philip.
The Indonesian Trade Minister has confirmed there will be no agreement while Australia considers moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Jakarta's former ambassador in Canberra says Australia should pursue a foreign policy more independent of the United States.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has doubled down on the potential foreign policy shift.
Malcolm Turnbull spoke after meeting Indonesian President Joko Widodo,less than two weeks after Australia announced it could move its Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Just after lunchtime on Monday last week,the head of Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department took a call.
The Morrison government's controversial Jerusalem announcement prompted a flurry of text messages from Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to her Australian counterpart Marise Payne.