Iran Summons Australian Envoy over Stance on Palestine Occupation
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Australian ambassador in protest at the recent refusal by the Australian Attorney-General to say whether East Jerusalem, al-Quds was occupied by Israel.
During a meeting with the Australian ambassador to Tehran Paul Foley, the Director General of the Middle East and North African Department of Foreign Ministry Reza Ameri condemned Attorney-General George Brandis ignorance of the occupation of the Holy Quds by Israel.
Ameri referred to international conventions and documents about the state of Palestine and the occupation of the Holy Quds by Israel.
Foley said for his part that he would convey the Iranian protest to his country’s officials and explained that the chief Attorney-General’s statement in the specialized commissions were ceremonial and that it was separate from the policy of the Australian government.
He said the policy of Canberra on Palestine and Israel has not changed and his country’s stance falls within the framework of the UN resolutions.
The Australian envoy added that the Austrian government’s stance has also been mentioned in the letter of Australian foreign minister to the Secretary General of the Islamic Cooperation Organization.
During Australia’s Senate estimates three weeks ago, Attorney-General George Brandis repeatedly refused to say whether East Jerusalem was occupied by Israel.
Earlier, the Australia's ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma told an Israeli website the entire West Bank area should not be referred to as ‘occupied’.
