Palestinian State
Prime Minister Mark Carney has declared that Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state in September, becoming the third G7 country to make such an announcement recently.
Carney emphasized that this decision hinges on democratic reforms, specifically the Palestinian Authority holding elections next year without the involvement of Hamas. His statement followed the UK’s announcement that it would recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire, and came a week after France announced a similar plan.
In response, Israel’s foreign ministry rejected Canada’s announcement, branding it a “reward for Hamas.” Currently, 147 of the 193 UN member states formally recognize a Palestinian state.
Carney confirmed that Canada plans to officially acknowledge the state of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly. He highlighted factors such as the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the recent attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, as reasons for this significant change in Canada’s foreign policy.
“The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable and rapidly deteriorating,” Carney informed reporters. He added that recognizing Palestinian statehood will depend on the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to essential governance reforms and the demilitarization of the territory.
Carney noted that while Canada has long endorsed a two-state solution through a negotiated peace process, he believes that “this approach is no longer tenable.” “The prospect of a Palestinian state is being eroded before our eyes,” he remarked.
During a news conference, Carney revealed that he had spoken with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas earlier that day about the announcement.
The Palestinian Authority governs parts of the West Bank through the Fatah party led by Abbas, while Hamas controls Gaza. Neither territory has held elections since 2006.
Carney’s announcement faced criticism from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which claimed that Canada’s plan “harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages.”
The Conservative party in Canada also expressed concerns, stating, “Recognizing a Palestinian state in the aftermath of the October 7 terrorist atrocities sends the wrong message to the world.”
Carney has faced pressure to address the issue of Palestinian statehood following similar statements from the UK and France, close allies of Canada.
On Tuesday, nearly 200 former Canadian ambassadors and diplomats signed a letter urging Carney to recognize a Palestinian state. The letter asserted that Canada’s values are being compromised amid the “massive displacement, indiscriminate bombardment, and starvation of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the violent attacks by extremist settlers in the West Bank.”
When questioned if the announcements from the UK and France influenced his decision, or whether he consulted with US President Donald Trump, Carney responded that Canada conducts its own foreign policy independently.
If France and the UK go ahead with recognizing Palestinian statehood, the US—an ally of Israel—would be the only permanent member of the UN Security Council not to do so.
The Israeli military launched operations in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since then, over 60,000 people have died in Gaza, and according to health authorities in the territory governed by Hamas, 154 individuals have succumbed to malnutrition, including 89 children.
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