[Australia]: Moving the Embassy

[Owen]

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Today the Australian Government has announced it will be moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Ambassador Richard Rigby has commented saying today marks a "momentous day in Israel's long friendship with Australia and our commitment to recognise Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel." The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said 100 staff will be employed at the new Embassy which is to be located in West Jerusalem. It will also be accompanied by 30 diplomatic security contractors, which makes it one of the largest staff to security ratios in the Australian embassy network, due to the ongoing threat of violence and terrorism. The Tel Aviv Embassy has been redesignated as a Consulate-General with 50 staff employed there and 10 diplomatic security contractors.

Premier of New South Wales, Bob Carr, talking with former Prime Minister of Israel, Shimon Peres, on a recent visit to Israel.
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Zak