#SOUTHAFRICA: Parliament Downgrades Israeli Embassy, Israel Condemns

[world politics news]

Israel has slammed as “disgraceful” the South African parliament’s decision to downgrade Jerusalem’s embassy in Pretoria to a liaison office.

The measure in the South African legislature was backed by 208 lawmakers, with 94 opposing.

“The symbolic resolution taken yesterday by the South African parliament calling for the downgrading of relations between South Africa and Israel is shameful and disgraceful,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#RUSSIA: US, Other Western Nations Fly Pride Flags At Embassies

[world politics news]

The U.S., British and Canadian embassies in Russia last Friday hung rainbow flags on their buildings in Moscow in honor of LGBT Pride Month, celebrated worldwide.

In a joint statement with colleagues from Australia, Iceland and New Zealand, the Western diplomats said the actions affirm the countries’ “commitment to protecting the human rights of all individuals, including #LGBTI+ persons.”

The Kremlin, which last year decried the rainbow flag displays on embassy buildings as illegal under Russian law, has not yet commented on the LGBT flag sightings.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#BRAZIL: Lawmaker, Son Of Pres. Bolsonaro, Assures Israel Embassy Will Move To Jerusalem

[world politics news]

Brazilian lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of president Jair Bolsonaro, told lawmakers in Israel that a move of its country's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is a matter of "when, not if" and signaled other pro-Israel moves to come, including declaring Hezbollah a terrorist organization.

He made the comments on a trip to Israel to open a trade office in Jerusalem, a move other nations have made rather than (or in anticipation of) moving their full embassies there. He said Brazil's trade office signaled a move of its embassy to Jerusalem within a year.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#AUSTRIA: President, In Palestine, Says Austria Would "Never" Relocate Israeli Embassy To Jerusalem

[world politics news]

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen yesterday criticized the relocation of US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, stressing his country would never follow suit. Van der Bellen made the remarks during a press conference held with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah. Van der Bellen is the ceremonial head of state of Austria.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ISRAEL: Australia Announces It Will One Day Move Its Embassy To West Jerusalem; Palestinians & Israelis Both Displeased

[world politics news]

Australia has formally recognized "west Jerusalem" as Israel's capital, reversing decades of Middle East policy, but will not move its embassy there immediately, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. "Australia now recognizes West Jerusalem, being the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government, is the capital of Israel," Morrison said. The announcement pleased neither Israeli nor Palestinian officials. Israelis were taken aback by the "west Jerusalem" language, since Israel recognizes all of Jerusalem as its unified capitol. Palestinians were more clearly unhappy, since they view a united Jerusalem as their future capitol.

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.