Canada to recognize Palestinian state in September, Prime Minister Carney says
Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney said July 30.
Carney told reporters that the planned move was predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms. That includes fundamentally changing its governance and holding general elections in 2026 in which Hamas − the terrorist group in charge of Gaza − can play no part.
He added that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who governs in the West Bank, "committed to not militarizing the state of Palestine."
The Canadian leader's comments came during a conference in New York on reaching a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians in occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank. It also follows the 22-member Arab League calling on Hamas to disarm and hand power in Gaza to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.
“Canada will always steadfastly support Israel’s existence as an independent state in the Middle East, living in peace and security,” Carney said, according to CNN. “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.”
Canada's announcement comes within a week of France also declaring its intention to recognize a Palestinian state.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said July 29 that his nation is also prepared to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly unless Israel takes a number of steps to improve life for Palestinians such as allowing more aid into Gaza.
The enclave is in the grip of starvation brought on by a near-complete Israeli blockade of food and medical supplies. More than 60,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza during Israel’s retaliatory war on Hamas following the group's Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.
Israel criticized Carney's announcement, saying it represented a reward to the terrorist group. Approximately 1,200 Israelis, most of whom were civilians, were killed in the 2023 attack, and Hamas took hundreds hostage. Some are still being held against their will today.
"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 early on Thursday.
Contributing: Reuters, Dan Morrison, Paste BN