Canada plans to recognize Palestinian state in September
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will recognize a Palestinian state in September if the West Bank's governing body agrees to make certain commitments.
The prime minister said the Palestinian Authority must hold an election in 2026 and commit to other democratic reforms.
"Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism, and honouring their innate desire for the peaceful co-existence of Israeli and Palestinian states as the only roadmap for a secure and prosperous future," Carney said during a news conference on Wednesday.
He said Canada would formally recognize the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly.
WATCH | Carney says Canada will recognize Palestinian state:
Carney announces Canada will recognize Palestinian state in September
8 hours ago
Carney's announcement came after he spoke to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas earlier Wednesday.
Mona Abuamara, the former chief representative of the Palestinian General Delegation to Canada, told CBC's Power & Politics that she believes the commitments Carney set out are achievable.
"The Palestinian people have been living hell for two years. They know what they want. They need the opportunity to actually build their own state," she told guest host David Common.
The Palestinian Authority currently controls parts of the West Bank through the Fatah party. Hamas governs in Gaza. Neither territory has held an election since 2006.
Carney said Hamas can have no role in the election he is proposing. He also reiterated that Hamas needs to release the remaining Israeli hostages and said a Palestinian state must be demilitarized.
The announcement follows similar commitments from other allied countries in the past week.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday the U.K. will also recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza, allows the UN to bring in aid and takes other steps toward long-term peace.
WATCH | Carney says prospect of 2-state solution being 'eroded before our eyes':
Carney on whether recognizing a Palestinian state is a 'critique' of Israel
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France announced a similar plan last week, but without conditions. Ireland, Norway and Spain have all recognized Palestine within the last year.
Carney said he has spoken to both Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in recent days.
"In our judgment, and the judgment of others, the prospect of a Palestinian state is literally receding before our eyes," the prime minister said.
"Working with others to support the possibility of a Palestinian state establishes that [prospect]."
Canadian governments previously said they would acknowledge a Palestinian state only after a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and Palestinian leadership. Carney said that approach was "no longer tenable."
Carney said the ongoing threat of Hamas, the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and "the ongoing failure by the Israeli government to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza" spurred Canada to make this move now.
Israel rejects Canada's plans
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said its government "rejects" Carney's move.
"The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages," the statement said.
Iddo Moed, the Israeli Ambassador to Canada, told Power & Politics that Canada's decision would "embolden" Hamas.
"Hamas is very much aware of what is going on right now and I think they will be celebrating this very message," Moed said.
Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), said in a news statement on Wednesday that Carney's decision is "predicated on misplaced faith in vague commitments" by Abbas.
"Extending recognition absent real change on the ground is a recipe for another failed Palestinian pseudo-state controlled by terrorists," Shack said.
More than 100 advocacy groups have been warning of hunger spreading in Gaza as ceasefire negotiations stall.
Israel, which controls all supplies entering Gaza, denies it is responsible for food shortages.
Carney was asked how likely it is that elections could be held given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the heightened tensions in the region overall.
"Much has to happen in order for a democratic viable state [to be] established in Palestine. We fully recognize that," Carney said.
"We're committed to help work as part of that process, but I'm not in any way [or] shape minimizing the scale of that task."
Carney was joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who announced $10 million to "to accelerate reform and capacity-building for the Palestinian Authority" earlier this week.
Anand's announcement was made at a major UN conference — convened by France and Saudi Arabia — to find ways to preserve the two-state solution.
Conservatives denounce decision
The Conservative Party said in a statement that it supports a two-state solution, but also said Carney's decision is a "reward" for Hamas.
"A unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood, without peace negotiations or a renunciation of violence, destroys the path to a lasting, two-state solution. Worse, it legitimizes terrorism by handing political rewards to a group that rules Gaza through fear, oppression and brutality," the statement said.
NDP MP Heather McPherson said she welcomed Carney's decision but said it should have been made sooner. She also called on Canada to do more to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
"It should not have taken the Liberals this long to make this decision — and it should not take until September to implement it," McPherson wrote in a statement.
"The Liberals should recognize the state of Palestine today — while also taking the political action necessary to end Canada's complicity in this genocide."
In the past week, a number of Liberal MPs have called on Canada to follow France's lead.
Toronto MP Salma Zahid and Montreal-area MP Sameer Zuberi said in social media posts that Canada must join France in announcing its recognition of a state for the Palestinian people.
Fares Al Soud, who represents the Toronto-area riding of Mississauga Centre, said on social media that justice for the Palestinian people "demands recognition."
Last fall, dozens of MPs from the Liberals, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Green Party joined an international call for the recognition a Palestinian state.
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