Cabinet ministers have downed arms after an unseemly fight broke out over whether Australia should move its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem.
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Senior federal government ministers are deeply divided over the prospect, with many airing their personal views in public.
But after an ugly slanging match erupted over the politically-charged debate, cabinet ministers have gone quiet.
"I will leave my comments for cabinet consideration when we have had the opportunity to properly evaluate what's in our national interest," Industrial Relations Minister Kelly O'Dwyer told ABC on Tuesday.
Population Minister Alan Tudge played down the public bickering among his cabinet colleagues.
"I wouldn't say we're tearing ourselves apart," Mr Tudge said.
"We have a process, I will follow the process and support the process. I can absolutely see the merits of moving the embassy to Jerusalem where the capital of Israel is."
The Australian Financial Review reports the government considered moving the Israeli embassy less than six months ago but rejected it on the grounds of security, geopolitical backlash, cost and need.
Australians won't get to hear whether Foreign Minister Marise Payne believes the nation should move its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem.
Nor does she think her colleagues should be sharing their personal views on the embassy's location, until the federal government makes a call on the issue later this year.
"I always think discretion is the better part of valour," Senator Payne said on Monday night.
"I think it's an appropriate way to behave."
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, Defence Minister Christopher 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."
Senator Payne has suggested people sharing their personal views on the matter could compromise a process under way to decide whether the embassy moves or stays put.
Indonesia has made it clear the relocation would risk a lucrative free-trade deal, while Malaysia has warned moving the embassy could fuel terrorism.
Australian Associated Press
