DECLASSIFIED COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 Title: Australia's policy on Middle East issues 3 22(1)(a)(iD 15/10/2018 10:50:59 PM ZEIO T0: 5 22(1)(a)(ii) Ce: From: Canberra From File: EDRMS Files: References: 8 22(1 Ci) The cable has the following attachment/s - 181015 Middle East Policy TPs for postsdocx Response: Routine, Information Only Summary Prime Minister Morrison will make announcements tomorrow, Tuesday 16 October, in relation to Australia's Middle East policy. Grateful posts undertake action as requested. Prime Minister Merrison will make announcements tomorrow, Tuesday "16 October (Canberra time), in relation to Australia's Middle East policy. These are expeCted to appear in morning media. 2. The announcement follows careful consideration by the Prime Minister, in consultation with Ministers, on a number of important issues affecting Australia?s interests in the Middle East. as follows: 8 22(1)(8) (i7 Australia's diplomatic presence in Israel The Prime Minister will announce he has found the arguments put forward by Australia's former Ambassador to Israel [Dave Shanna] that we should consider recognising DFAT DECLASSIFIED COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 DFAT DECLASSIFIED COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, without prejudice to its ?nal boundaries, while acknowledging East Jerusalem as the expected capital of a future Palestinian state persuasive. The Prime Minister will also say that we should be open to examining the merits of moving Australia's embassy to Jerusalem in the context of our support for a two-state solution. Any decision will be subject to a rigorous assessment of our broader national interests. 22(1)(a)0i) 3. It is important to note that Australia remains ?rmly committed to a two-state solution that allows Israel and a future Palestinian state to exist side?by?side, in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders. Talking points are attached. Broader whole-of? government talking points to follow in due course. Action on 15 October: 4, 5. DFAT is currently .(15 October AEST) seeking to advise the following Canberra?based Heads of Mission of the Prime Minister's announcements under embargo: 3 6. Grateful HOMs in responsible missions advise senior counterparts as appropriate, emphasising this advice is conveyed under embargo and we ask that it not be disclosed to any other parties prior to an announcement by the Prime Ministers Action on 16 October: 7. DFAT will seek to advise the following Canberra Heads of Mission/representatives of the announcements early morning 16 October AEST: 33( a) Grateful or Head of Of?ce in responsible posts/of?ces advise senior counterparts as soon as possible after the announcement is made public on 16 October. 22(1 (ii) DFAT - DECLASSIFIED COPY UNDER FOI Act 1982 DECLASSIFIED COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 8. All other posts are asked to discuss with host governments as appropriate, following the announcement and drawing on the attached talking points. All posts are requested to report as a matter of priority on international reactions to the Prime Minister's announcements. For all posts: if any inquiries are received ahead of a formal announCement, you should draw on the attached talking points. Security and travel advice: 9. All posts are requested to closely monitor thesecurity environment and threat levels and to take appropriate security precautions, 37(1)(0) 10. The Department continues to monitor the international security environment closely. All posts are requested to advise if any change to the travel advice is recommended. 11. Cable prepared in consultation with 22(1)(a)(ii) text ends Sent '33? 22(1)(a)(ii) Prepared Tony Sheehan, Deputy Secretary by: Approved Tony Sheehan, Deputy Secretary by: 22(1)(a)(ii) DFAT DECLASSIFIED COPY FOI Act 1982 DECLASSIFIED COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 Talking Points 0 Prime Minister will be making an announcement in relation to Australia?s Middle East policy on Tuesday, 16 October 0 this is under embargo and we ask that you do not disclose to any other parties prior to an announcement by the Prime Minister. 0 The announcement follows careful consideration by the Prime Minister, in consultation with Ministers, on a number of important issues affecting Australia?s interests in the Middle East. 0 Important to emphasise no change in Australia?s policy in support of peace and stability in the Middle East. . 0 Government remains ?rmly committed to the Middle East Peace Process 0 and to a two-state solution that allows Israel and a future Palestinian state to exist side-by-side, in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders. We will continue to encourage both sides to continue dialogue and negotiations towards a peaceful settlement. 5 22(1)(a)(ii) Australia?s Diplomatic Presence in Israel I The Prime Minister has said he has found the arguments put forward by Australia?s former Ambassador to Israel [Dave Shanna] - that we should consider recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, without prejudice to its ?nal boundaries, while acknowledging East Jerusalem as the expected capital of a future Palestinian state persuasive and that we should be open to examining the merits of shifting Australia? embassy to Jerusalem in the context of our support for a two-state solution. . Prime Minister Morrison has said he looks forward to further discussion on this together with Cabinet colleagues in the coming months 0 any decision will be subject to a rigorous assessment of our broader national interests. DFAT DECLASSIFIED . COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 From: Kamath, Gita Sent: Tuesday, 16 October 2018 7:38 AM To: 5 22(1)(a)(1i) Cc: . Sheehan, Tomes 22(1)(a)(ii) Subject: Re: out of hours contact info 5 22(1)(a)(ii) I just briefed theS 33000?) a/g HOM so no need for you to do this. 8- 3300) Gita From: 33(a)(iiD Date: Tuesday, '16 October 2018 22(1)(a)(ii) @gdfat. gov. au>, 9? 33(a) 3 Cc: "Kamath, Gita" Subject: Re: out of hours contact info 33(a) 3 33(b) From:s 33(a) Sent: Monday, 15 October 2018 22:49 Tots 22(1)(a)(ii) Cc: Kamath, Gita Subject: Re: out of hours contact info 33(b) Prawns 22(1)(a)(ii) Sent: Monday, 15 October 2018 20:40 Tats Cc: Kamath, Gita Subject: out of hours contact info umcutssnasoE I 33(a) could we please have an out of hours contact number for either or both of you: my colleague Gita Kamath Asst Sec?y Africa Branch has urgent advice to pass to you. 22(1)(a)(ii) 22(1)(a)(ii) DFAT DECLASSIFIED COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 6 DECLASSIFIED 7 COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 From: Sheehan, Tony Sent: Tuesday, 16 October 2018 7:44 PM To: 22(1)(a)(ii) . . Kamath, Gite Cc: - 22(1)(a)(ii) Subject: RE: call UNCLASSIFIED Than 22(1)(3)(ii) lam speaking to5 at 1pm tomorrow. Regards From:3 - @pmc.gov.au> Sent: Tuesday, 16 October 2018 7:38 PM 22(1 (ii) Kamath, Gite ; Sheehan, Tony - Cc:s 22(1)(a)(ii) 22(1)(a)(ii) Subject: call UNCLASSIFIED Hi all, 8 33(b) I pretty much made [several times) the points PM had made in press conference and statement today re timings 22(1)(a)(ii) looking at merits of an Emb move. 8 Regards 22(1)(a)(ii) 522(1xaxii) I DFAT DECLASSIFIED COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 From: - Kamath, Gita Sent: Tuesday, 16 October 2018 10:35 AM To: 8 22(1)(a)(ii) Cc: Sheehan, Tony; 3 22(1)(a)(ii) Subject: RE: Middle East Announcement UNCLASSIFIED 22(1)(a)(li) Global Watch Office is issuing its next round up covering media commentary and reactions from countries/organisations by noon today. This will go to FMO. Grateful if you could . please provide any material from countries in you r'patch to GWO as well for incorporation into this product, noting their noon deadline. I?ll forward you separately what they sent out this morning. Many thanks gita From:s 22(1)(a)(ii) Sent: Tuesday, 16 October 2018 9:47 AM 'To: Kamath, Gita Subject: FW: Middle East Announcement UNCLASSIFIED Hi Gite, 22(1)(a)(ii) Just to bring to your attention the below request from FMO. have advised FMO that it is unlikely that we will have 33(a) responses before QT I assume thought that you are working with the of?ce on the QT briefs and any responses/ reactions. 5 22(1)(a) (ii) From:s 22(1)(a)Gi) Sent: Tuesday, 16 October 2018 9:27 AM 3 Cos 22(1)(a)0i) 22(1)(ai(ii) Subject: Middle East Announcement UNCLASSIFIED His 22(1)(a)(ii) The PM and FM made Middle East related announcement this morning. Grateful if you could ask desks to collate third party endorsement/criticisms report covering reactions from political leaders and relevant ?gures/organisations across 3 33(a)Gii) . if all desks could mo nitortheir respective geographical areas and leaders, and send me any relevant statements, quotes, or tweets, copying in 22(1)(a)(ii) she will then be able to collate the report before question time. If a statement, please can you send the full statement and link, and if quotes in a media article, please attribute the outlet and include the link to the media article.- A suitable deadline would be 12pm but clearly if anything comes up between 12 and 2pm, please still send it through so that we can endeavour to pass it on (we want FM to be fully aware of any comme ntar'y and ready to respond at question time). Kind regards 22(1)(a)(ii) DFAT DECLASSIFIED COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 DFAT DECLASSIFIED 1? COPY ISSUED UNDER FOI Act 1982 From: Kamath, Gita Sent: Tuesday, 16 October 2018 11:02 AM To: 22(1)(3)Gl) Cc: 22(1)(a)(ii) Sheehan, Tony;s 22(1)(a)(ii) . Subject: - RE: Middle East tasking ?ailin? just told me the 5 33900?) call has now taken place. From: Ka math, Gita Toz?s 22(1)(a)(ii) I Cc:s 22(1)(a)(ii) Sheehan, To ny Su bject: FW25 ROC from today's call -5 call l' i I From: 5 22(1)(a)(ii) Sent: Tuesday, 16 October 2018 3:17 PM 70:9 22(1)(a) (ii) - 22(1)(a)(ii) Sheehan, Tony