Canada to recognize Palestinian state at upcoming UN meeting, PM Carney says

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will recognize Palestine as its own country amid “devastation” inflicted on civilians in Gaza and calls to release all hostages from the October 7 attack.

Carney made the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday,  saying Canada will recognize a Palestinian state at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

He said the recognition hinges on the Palestinian Authority undertaking reforms and an election next year, including ensuring Hamas has “no future role in the government of Palestine.”

Other reforms include the demilitarization of Hamas, a pledge that a future Palestinian state would not militarize, and the return of all hostages being held by Hamas.

“It is our duty to ensure human rights are upheld abroad,” Carney said, adding that Canada is “committed to a two-state solution.”

The move follows a meeting of Carney’s cabinet on Thursday and a similar announcement from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday. France announced last week it will recognize a Palestinian state.

Carney says Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution, but that prospect has been “steadily and gravely eroded.”

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification says the number of Palestinians killed in the conflict with Israel is over 60,000, with the forced starvation crisis in Gaza classified as a famine.

Earlier this week, Canada announced an additional $30 million to humanitarian funding for desperate Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Carney says Canada will increase its efforts to support strong, democratic governance in Palestine and build a more peaceful and hopeful future.

“Much has to happen for a democratic, viable state to be established,” Carney said.

The Palestinian Authority controls large parts of the West Bank through the Fatah party, while 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.

The Embassy of Israel released a statement saying it rejects Canada’s endorsement of Palestinian statehood. It said recognizing a Palestinian state in the absence of an accountable government or functioning institutions “rewards and legitimizes the monstrous barbarity of Hamas” on Oct. 7, 2023.

Ambassador of Israel to Canada Iddo Moed said Israel “will not bow to the distorted campaign of international pressure against it.”

The Conservative Party of Canada also criticized the decision. It said recognizing a Palestinian state in the aftermath of the October 7 attack “sends the wrong message to the world.”

– With files from The Canadian Press