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Leaders
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Finland's President Open to Recognizing Palestinian State
Finland's President Alexander Stubb stated that he is prepared to approve a recognition of a Palestinian state if the government decides to move forward with the proposal, according to AFP. Finland Moves Closer to Recognizing Palestinian State The statement comes at a crucial time as several countries, such as France, Canada as well as Malta have announced their plans to recognize a Palestinian state alongside the 80th UN General Assembly in September. 'The decisions by France, the United Kingdom and Canada reinforce the trend towards recognizing Palestine as part of efforts to breathe new life into the peace process,' Stubb said in a post to X Thursday. While the Finnish President holds limited executive powers, the role includes coordinating the country's foreign policy in close collaboration with the government. 'If I receive a proposal to recognize the Palestinian state, I am prepared to approve it,' Stubb said, deploring an 'inhumane' situation in Gaza. That is why Stubb noted that he understood that Finns had 'different opinions on the recognition of Palestine, and that there is also concern.' Therefore, he calls for an 'open' and 'honest' debate. The far-right Finns Party and the Christian Democrats have voiced opposition to the recognition of a Palestinian state. France, Canada, Malta Pledge to Recognize Palestinian State Last week, the French President unveiled his intension to recognize the Palestinian state at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations in September. Moreover, Malta has announced it will officially recognize the State of Palestine this coming September, joining an increasing number of countries such as France and the United Kingdom amid worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza. 'Malta has consistently supported the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. As responsible international actors, we must help turn the two-state solution from a concept into a reality,' Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary at Malta's Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, said. At the same time, Canada also revealed plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September as international pressure on Israel is surging over the ongoing starvation crisis in the Palestinian enclave. 'Canada intends to recognize the state of Palestine at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations,' Carney told reporters. Related Topics: Malta to Officially Recognize State of Palestine in Sept. Canada to Recognize Palestinian State at UN, Sparking US, Israeli Backlash France to Recognize Palestinian State, Sparking Outrage from US, Israel Short link : Post Views: 6
Egypt Independent
31-07-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Canada joins France and UK in planning to recognize Palestinian state as gulf with US and key allies grows
Canada has joined France and Britain in announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September as international pressure builds on Israel over the ongoing starvation crisis and war in Gaza. The move leaves the United States increasingly isolated from some of its closest allies on the issue of Israel and how it has conducted its military campaign. US President Donald Trump blasted Canada's decision, threatening to derail ongoing trade talks with Ottawa. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement on Wednesday and said that Canada has 'long been committed to a two-state solution' that would see an independent Palestinian state 'living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security.' The move follows similar announcements by France, which has said it will recognize a Palestinian state in September, and the UK, which has said that it will too if Israel does not meet conditions that include agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. 'Canada intends to recognize the state of Palestine at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations,' Carney told reporters, flanked by Foreign Minister Anita Anand. 'We intend to do so because the Palestinian Authority has committed to lead much needed reform.' Trump, on Thursday, hinted at blowing up trade talks with Canada over its plans to recognize Palestinian statehood. 'Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh' Canada!!!' he wrote on Truth Social. His comments come at an intense stage of Canada-US trade negotiations, with a 35 per cent tariff hike threatening to kick in on some Canadian goods if both sides fail to reach an agreement by August 1. It's only the latest escalation in a dramatic on-and-off trade war with the US's closest trading partner. However France welcomed Canada's announcement, with the Elysee Palace highlighting that President Emmanuel Macron had discussed the issue with Carney and looks forward to 'working together.' 'We will continue our efforts to encourage others to join this momentum in the run-up to the General Assembly in September,' the Elysee added in a statement. Israel calls recognition 'reward to Hamas' In his announcement, Carney added that the Palestinian Authority's President Mahmoud Abbas assured him that his administration will hold long-delayed elections in 2026 in which Hamas will 'play no part.' '(Abbas) has also committed to not militarizing the state of Palestine,' Carney added. It comes at a time of renewed international attention on the war in Gaza, especially the ongoing hunger crisis caused by Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid. 'Canada will always steadfastly support Israel's existence as an independent state in the Middle East, living in peace and security,' Carney said. 'Any path to lasting peace for Israel also requires a viable and stable Palestinian state and one that recognizes Israel's inalienable right to security.' Carney's announcement came after the Canadian leader spoke to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about Gaza on Tuesday, a fact Carney mentioned on Wednesday. During their call, the two politicians discussed 'the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza, as well as the United Kingdom's statement on the recognition of a Palestinian state,' according to a readout from Carney's office. Israel's Foreign Ministry quickly 'rejected' Canada's decision in a post on X, calling it a 'reward to Hamas.' '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 Ministry stated. 'Let us be clear: Israel will not bow to the distorted campaign of international pressure against it,' Israel's Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed said in an X post from the embassy. 'We will not sacrifice our very existence by permitting the imposition of a jihadist state on our ancestral homeland that seeks our annihilation.' Both Israel and the US previously criticized the move by France and the UK, saying it rewards Hamas. Last month, Canada joined the UK, Norway, New Zealand and Australia in sanctioning two far-right ministers of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. 'We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution which is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long term stability in the region, but it is imperiled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion,' a joint statement from the five countries said. At the time, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the sanctions as unhelpful, saying they 'do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war.' The latest declaration about recognizing Palestinian statehood have come as the hunger crisis in Gaza and perils in accessing aid continue to plague the enclave. On Wednesday the Israeli military said its troops fired warning shots in northern Gaza following reports of dozens of aid-seekers killed in the area. The IDF said it was not aware of any casualties and that the details surrounding the incident are being examined, while Yousef Abu al-Rish, undersecretary of the Gaza Ministry of Health, told CNN at least 60 people were killed and about 600 others were injured in northern Gaza after Israeli forces fired near an aid site on. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.
New York Post
31-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump says it's hard to make deal with Canada for backing Palestinian statehood
President Trump warned that it'll be 'very hard' to make a deal with Canada before Friday's trade deadline after it recognized Palestine's statehood. 'Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine,' Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday morning. The commander in chief's post comes hours after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada will recognize a Palestinian state at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations in September. 5 Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump 'Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution — an independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security,' Carney wrote in a statement Wednesday. The Canadian prime minister said that the decision was reached after Palestinian Authority's President Mahmoud Abbas assured him he was 'committed to lead much needed reform' and to 'hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state.' 'Canada will increase its efforts in supporting strong, democratic governance in Palestine and the contributions of its people to a more peaceful and hopeful future,' he wrote — emphasizing that Hamas 'must disarm' and that Canada 'will always steadfastly support Israel's existence.' Israel quickly criticized Carney's announcement, calling the recognition a 'reward for Hamas.' '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 Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 5 Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with media during a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. AP Canada is now the third of the US's allies to announce its intention to recognize the State of Palestine. Last week, France became the first major Western power to reveal plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September. On Tuesday, the UK followed France's lead to recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to a cease-fire in Gaza, allows aid to be brought in, and takes other steps toward long-term peace. 5 President Trump speaks as he meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, Sunday, July 27, 2025. AP The Palestinian government has been a non-member observer state of the UN General Assembly since 2012. More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, including a dozen in Europe. US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Israel on Thursday to discuss Gaza. Trump has also said this week that he expected centers to be set up to feed more people in the enclave. 5 Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas poses for a picture with the new Palestinian government, after it was sworn in on March 31, 2024, in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. AFP via Getty Images Carney's announcement to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state comes two days before Trump's Aug. 1 deadline for countries to make a trade deal with the US or face tariffs. Trump has promised a 35% tariff on Canadian goods if no deal is reached. Ottawa exports about three-quarters of its goods to the US, including cars, auto parts and oil. 5 Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas waves during a swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed ministers, on March 31, 2024, in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. AFP via Getty Images However, Carney said that he 'would not accept a bad deal' with the US after months of stop-start talks. 'Our objective is not to reach a deal whatever it costs,' Carney said in Ontario last week. 'We are pursuing a deal that will be in the best interest of Canadians.' Carney suggested during a briefing in Ottawa Wednesday that trade talks with the US may not be wrapped up by the Friday deadline as officials continued to discuss 'a broad variety' of topics. 'There are many areas for cooperation between Canada and the United States, including defense spending, security spending, investments,' he said. 'Which is one of the reasons why we're having these broader discussions.' with Post wires
