Senior federal government ministers have traded barbs in an ugly slanging match over whether to shift Australia's embassy in Israel.
Defence Minister Christopher Pyne has stoked the obvious tensions by chiding cabinet colleagues for debating the delicate foreign policy dilemma in public.
In recent days, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has argued relocating the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would be the right decision, while Defence Industry Minister Steve Ciobo said it would be a mistake.
Asked whether it was appropriate for his colleagues to express their strong views, Mr Pyne told ABC radio on Monday: "Well, you'll have to ask the people who are making those comments."
Mr Frydenberg was quick to return fire.
"Chris has been giving his opinion freely on this matter for quite a while so I don't know what got into his Wheaties this morning," he told 2GB radio.
"Chris is his own person, as we know. He's quite unique. And we'll leave him to be a legend in his own lunchtime."
Australia is investigating relocating the embassy to West Jerusalem, with the Morrison government believing it may help deliver a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
"If the shoe was on the other foot, it would be like Israel saying that they intend to put their embassy in Sydney, and pretend that Canberra isn't our capital," Mr Pyne said.
"Now, we would think that was unusual."
Indonesia has made it clear the relocation would risk a lucrative trade deal, while Malaysia has warned moving the embassy could fuel terrorism.
Mr Pyne pointed out neither country has diplomatic relations with Israel.
"While their views are of interest to us - of course they are - they don't decide our foreign policy," he said.
After meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised to make a decision on the embassy site before Christmas.
He announced the potential shift in the week in October before a by-election in Wentworth, where more than 12 per cent of voters are Jewish.
