Latest news with #AnitaAnand
Al-Ahram Weekly
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UN roundtable renews push for Israel/Palestine two-state solution - War on Gaza
As Israel's war on Gaza leaves tens of thousands dead and exacerbates a deepening humanitarian catastrophe, diplomats and senior officials gathered at the United Nations (UN) on Monday to renew international support for the long-stalled two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine in New York, co-organized by France and Saudi Arabia, brought together foreign ministers, UN diplomats, and experts under the banner The Case for Peace. Roundtable 1 focused on reviving prospects for peace through coordinated narratives, legal obligations, and multilateral action. Beyond politics: The power of narratives Qatar's Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi asserted bluntly: 'The occupation cannot ensure security.' Reaffirming his country's support for an independent Palestinian state along 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, he underscored that the protection of civilians is a fundamental obligation under international humanitarian law. Qatar's position found common cause within the Narrative for Peace Working Group, co-led by Canada, Mexico, and Qatar. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand warned that political agreements alone will not resolve the conflict. 'We must also address the narratives shaping identity, perception, and legitimacy,' she said. 'The region must be defined by peace, by stability, and by dignity for all.' Canada, she noted, is committed to civilian protection, humanitarian support, and Palestinian-led reconstruction. Mexico's UN envoy, Héctor Enrique Vasconcelos y Cruz, echoed the call for coexistence: 'Initiatives aimed at fostering future peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis must be prioritized. We must prove that coexistence is possible.' Together, participants emphasized the need to shift the global approach, viewing the conflict not only as a political dispute but also as one grounded in deeper issues of identity and mutual recognition. The legal front: 'Law must prevail over might' The Promoting Respect for International Law Working Group, chaired by Brazil and Senegal, addressed the erosion of legal norms in the occupied Palestinian territories. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira declared that the Palestinian ordeal is a test of the international community's commitment to law. 'When confronted with credible allegations of genocide, invoking international law is not enough. We must enforce it with resolve,' he said, criticizing selective enforcement and double standards. Senegal's Foreign Minister, Yassine Fall, said the legal vacuum in the occupied territories was not just a technical failure, but a moral and political one. 'The roundtable reaffirmed the primacy of law over might,' she added. The group put forward a range of recommendations: recognizing Palestine as a state, supporting its full UN membership, opposing settlement expansion, protecting UNRWA staff and civil society actors, sanctioning violent settlers, and taking lawful countermeasures against grave violations. Rebuilding Gaza, restoring hope With Gaza's infrastructure devastated and famine worsening, Working Group 6, co-led by Turkey and Ireland, stressed the need to preserve the feasibility of a two-state solution by rebuilding the Gaza Strip. Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz said, 'Empowering the state of Palestine calls for addressing the urgent question: How to end the Israeli occupation.' He cited the occupation as the primary barrier to Palestinian sovereignty. Ireland's Minister of State Emer Higgins described the situation in Gaza as 'new depths of despair and new depths of misery,' calling for an immediate ceasefire and accountability for violent settlers. 'Mass starvation is now spreading right across the population, and that is an affront to our collective humanity. We need to see an immediate ceasefire,' she added. Ireland also endorsed the Arab-Islamic reconstruction plan as a credible foundation for restoring governance, security, and economic life in Gaza. 'We must create the conditions and the space for voices from different perspectives to be heard in safety and in respect,' she said. 'A critical point' — Mary Robinson's warning In a stark keynote address, former Irish President and Elder Mary Robinson condemned the Israeli government for what she described as the dehumanization of Palestinians. 'The extremist government of Israel has reached a critical point,' she said, criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to acknowledge the scale of civilian loss. 'He has not apologized for the more than 17,000 children killed in Gaza or the many more children left without limbs and without family members,' she said. 'No apology has been deemed necessary because the children of Gaza have become dehumanized.' Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
CBC
a day ago
- Politics
- CBC
Canada pledges $30M in Gaza aid, $10M for Palestinian Authority work toward statehood
While Canada is not joining France in recognizing a Palestinian state, it is funding the Palestinian Authority's preparations to lead a globally recognized country that includes Gaza and the West Bank. Ottawa is also adding $30 million to its humanitarian funding for desperate Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. "The Palestinian question is at the heart of any hope for long-term stability in the Middle East," Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand told a major United Nations conference on Monday in New York. "A workable Palestinian state needs legitimate, democratic governance that serves all Palestinian people." The conference was convened by France and Saudi Arabia to find ways to preserve the two-state solution. Canada has for decades been among those calling for the eventual creation of a Palestinian country that would exist in peace alongside Israel. Canada other countries have increasingly expressed the concern that the Israeli government is trying to make a Palestinian state impossible. Some Israeli ministers have called for the population of Gaza to be concentrated in a small area or resettled to other countries. Anand highlighted concerns about Palestinian governance in her remarks to dozens of her counterparts gathered in New York. 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, and polls by the anti-corruption Aman Coalition think-tank have found widespread concerns about corruption in both governments. Anand said Hamas, listed as a terrorist entity by Canada, can't have a role in governing a Palestinian state. And she said the Palestinian Authority must undergo "comprehensive reforms necessary to govern Gaza and the West Bank." She announced Canada will spend $10 million this year "to accelerate reform and capacity-building for the Palestinian Authority." She also announced aid funding for Palestinians in Gaza. "For this critical aid to reach those in need, humanitarian partners must be granted safe and unhindered access to civilians in Gaza," Anand said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that only a "minimal" amount of aid is being allowed into the territory, and rejected the assertion of multiple international organizations that starvation is happening in Gaza. WATCH | Israel resumes Gaza aid drops: Earlier in the day, Anand said the decades-long conflict is being driven by the duelling narratives through which Israelis and Palestinians perceive the conflict, and that peace requires a shared reality. She also called for Hamas to release its hostages and for Israel to stop "relentless settlement expansion" in the West Bank. "Peace is not only about borders and agreements. It is also about shared stories and understanding that humanize all sides and foster trust," Anand said. Ottawa is co-leading an initiative with Qatar and Mexico aimed at finding ways to build that momentum. "This moment demands political courage and resolve, and we must stand together and choose a different path, one that leads toward a sustainable and a just solution," Anand said. The Trump administration criticized the conference. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce called it "an unproductive and ill-timed" event that amounts to a "publicity stunt" that could compromise talks for a ceasefire in Gaza. The U.S. argued the conference will prolong the war and embolden Hamas, calling it "a slap in the face to the victims of Oct. 7." U.S. President Donald Trump pushed Netanyahu on Monday to allow more aid into Gaza. Earlier Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa will work with its peers on recognizing a future Palestinian state "that does not include Hamas in any role." At a news conference in Prince Edward Island, he accused Israel and its settlers of a "lack of respect" for "the territorial integrity of Palestine, in the West Bank." WATCH | Carney asked if Canada will recognize Palestinian statehood: Carney asked if Canada will follow France and recognize Palestinian statehood 9 hours ago When asked by a CBC News reporter if Canada will recognize Palestinian statehood, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will continue to support a two-state solution with 'a free and viable Palestine living in peace and side-by-side in peace and security with Israel.' Carney referred to the area as Palestine instead of the "Palestinian territories," the term that Canadian government officials almost always use. He said Canadians "deplore the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza" and also "condemned what has caused this situation. It starts with Hamas and the deplorable terrorist attacks of Oct. 7." The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs welcomed Carney's rejection of a role for Hamas in governing a Palestinian state. "The path forward begins with sustained pressure on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages and ensure that no actions embolden Hamas to continue its campaign of violence," wrote CEO Noah Shack. He added that Canada should "work with international partners to disarm Hamas and ultimately remove them from Gaza and the West Bank." The Trudeau government changed Canada's policy on Palestinian statehood last November, saying that Ottawa could offer recognition before peace talks conclude instead of first requiring a successful peace deal with Israel.
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Canada pledges $30M in Gaza aid, $10M for Palestinian Authority work toward statehood
Canada is not joining France in recognizing a Palestinian state Published Jul 28, 2025 • 4 minute read Canadian Foreign Ministe Anita Anand speaks at a conference on a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians at UN headquarters on July 28, 2025 in New York City. Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images OTTAWA — While Canada is not joining France in recognizing a Palestinian state, it is funding the Palestinian Authority's preparations to lead a globally recognized country that includes Gaza and the West Bank. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Ottawa is also adding $30 million to its humanitarian funding for desperate Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 'The Palestinian question is at the heart of any hope for long-term stability in the Middle East,' Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand told a major United Nations conference Monday in New York. 'A workable Palestinian state needs legitimate, democratic governance that serves all Palestinian people.' The conference was convened by France and Saudi Arabia to find ways to preserve the two-state solution. Canada has for decades been among those calling for the eventual creation of a Palestinian country that would exist in peace alongside Israel. Ottawa and other countries have increasingly expressed the concern that the Israeli government is trying to make a Palestinian state impossible. Some Israeli ministers have called for the population of Gaza to be concentrated in a small area or resettled to other countries. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Anand highlighted concerns about Palestinian governance in her remarks to dozens of her counterparts gathered in New York. The Palestinian Authority currently controls large parts of the West Bank through the Fatah party. Hamas has full control of Gaza. Neither territory has held an election since 2006, and polls by the anti-corruption Aman Coalition think tank have found widespread concerns about corruption in both governments. Anand said Hamas can't have a role in governing a Palestinian state, while the Palestinian Authority must undergo 'comprehensive reforms necessary to govern Gaza and the West Bank.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She announced Canada will spend $10 million this year 'to accelerate reform and capacity-building for the Palestinian Authority.' She also announced aid funding for Palestinians in Gaza. 'For this critical aid to reach those in need, humanitarian partners must be granted safe and unhindered access to civilians in Gaza,' Anand said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that only a 'minimal' amount of aid is being allowed into the territory, and rejected the assertion of multiple international organizations that starvation is happening in Gaza. Earlier in the day, Anand said the decades-long conflict is being driven by the duelling narratives through which Israelis and Palestinians perceive the conflict, and that peace requires a shared reality. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She also called for Hamas to release its hostages and for Israel to stop 'relentless settlement expansion' in the West Bank. 'Peace is not only about borders and agreements. It is also about shared stories and understanding that humanize all sides and foster trust,' Anand said. Ottawa is co-leading an initiative with Qatar and Mexico aimed at finding ways to build that momentum. 'This moment demands political courage and resolve, and we must stand together and choose a different path, one that leads toward a sustainable and a just solution,' Anand said. The Trump administration criticized the conference. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce called it 'an unproductive and ill-timed' event that amounts to a 'publicity stunt' that could compromise talks for a ceasefire in Gaza. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The U.S. argued the conference will prolong the war and embolden Hamas, calling it 'a slap in the face to the victims of Oct. 7.' U.S. President Donald Trump pushed Netanyahu on Monday to allow more aid into Gaza. Earlier Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa will work with its peers on recognizing a future Palestinian state 'that does not include Hamas in any role.' At a news conference in Prince Edward Island, he accused Israel and its settlers of a 'lack of respect' for 'the territorial integrity of Palestine, in the West Bank.' Carney referred to the area as Palestine instead of the 'Palestinian territories,' the term that Canadian government officials almost always use. He said Canadians 'deplore the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza' and also 'condemned what has caused this situation. It starts with Hamas and the deplorable terrorist attacks of Oct. 7,' 2023. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs welcomed Carney's rejection of a role for Hamas in governing a Palestinian state. 'The path forward begins with sustained pressure on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages and ensure that no actions embolden Hamas to continue its campaign of violence,' wrote CEO Noah Shack. He added that Canada should 'work with international partners to disarm Hamas and ultimately remove them from Gaza and the West Bank.' The Trudeau government changed Canada's policy on Palestine statehood last November, saying that Ottawa could offer recognition before peace talks conclude instead of first requiring a successful peace deal with Israel. Carney said in June that there must be 'a Zionist, if you will, Palestinian state that recognizes the right of Israel to exist.' MLB Golf Toronto & GTA World Celebrity
Al-Ahram Weekly
a day ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UN roundtable renews push for two-state solution - War on Gaza
As Israel's war on Gaza leaves tens of thousands dead and exacerbates a deepening humanitarian catastrophe, diplomats and senior officials gathered at the United Nations (UN) on Monday to renew international support for the long-stalled two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine in New York, co-organized by France and Saudi Arabia, brought together foreign ministers, UN diplomats, and experts under the banner The Case for Peace. Roundtable 1 focused on reviving prospects for peace through coordinated narratives, legal obligations, and multilateral action. Beyond politics: The power of narratives Qatar's Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi asserted bluntly: 'The occupation cannot ensure security.' Reaffirming his country's support for an independent Palestinian state along 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, he underscored that the protection of civilians is a fundamental obligation under international humanitarian law. Qatar's position found common cause within the Narrative for Peace Working Group, co-led by Canada, Mexico, and Qatar. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand warned that political agreements alone will not resolve the conflict. 'We must also address the narratives shaping identity, perception, and legitimacy,' she said. 'The region must be defined by peace, by stability, and by dignity for all.' Canada, she noted, is committed to civilian protection, humanitarian support, and Palestinian-led reconstruction. Mexico's UN envoy, Héctor Enrique Vasconcelos y Cruz, echoed the call for coexistence: 'Initiatives aimed at fostering future peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis must be prioritized. We must prove that coexistence is possible.' Together, participants emphasized the need to shift the global approach, viewing the conflict not only as a political dispute but also as one grounded in deeper issues of identity and mutual recognition. The legal front: 'Law must prevail over might' The Promoting Respect for International Law Working Group, chaired by Brazil and Senegal, addressed the erosion of legal norms in the occupied Palestinian territories. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira declared that the Palestinian ordeal is a test of the international community's commitment to law. 'When confronted with credible allegations of genocide, invoking international law is not enough. We must enforce it with resolve,' he said, criticizing selective enforcement and double standards. Senegal's Foreign Minister, Yassine Fall, said the legal vacuum in the occupied territories was not just a technical failure, but a moral and political one. 'The roundtable reaffirmed the primacy of law over might,' she added. The group put forward a range of recommendations: recognizing Palestine as a state, supporting its full UN membership, opposing settlement expansion, protecting UNRWA staff and civil society actors, sanctioning violent settlers, and taking lawful countermeasures against grave violations. Rebuilding Gaza, restoring hope With Gaza's infrastructure devastated and famine worsening, Working Group 6, co-led by Turkey and Ireland, stressed the need to preserve the feasibility of a two-state solution by rebuilding the Gaza Strip. Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz said, 'Empowering the state of Palestine calls for addressing the urgent question: How to end the Israeli occupation.' He cited the occupation as the primary barrier to Palestinian sovereignty. Ireland's Minister of State Emer Higgins described the situation in Gaza as 'new depths of despair and new depths of misery,' calling for an immediate ceasefire and accountability for violent settlers. 'Mass starvation is now spreading right across the population, and that is an affront to our collective humanity. We need to see an immediate ceasefire,' she added. Ireland also endorsed the Arab-Islamic reconstruction plan as a credible foundation for restoring governance, security, and economic life in Gaza. 'We must create the conditions and the space for voices from different perspectives to be heard in safety and in respect,' she said. 'A critical point' — Mary Robinson's warning In a stark keynote address, former Irish President and Elder Mary Robinson condemned the Israeli government for what she described as the dehumanization of Palestinians. 'The extremist government of Israel has reached a critical point,' she said, criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to acknowledge the scale of civilian loss. 'He has not apologized for the more than 17,000 children killed in Gaza or the many more children left without limbs and without family members,' she said. 'No apology has been deemed necessary because the children of Gaza have become dehumanized.' Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Two-state solution remains only viable path to peace for Israel and Palestine: Anand
Watch Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand made it clear at today's UN meeting that the only viable path is a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel.
