Canada to Recognise Palestinian State in September

Photo: AFP

In a major announcement, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that Canada plans to officially recognise the State of Palestine this coming September. This move would make Canada the third G7 country, after France and the United Kingdom, to declare support for Palestinian statehood in recent days.

This decision marks a major shift in Canada's foreign policy and has sparked mixed reactions across the world. Some have welcomed the move as a step toward peace, while others have criticised it, especially Israel and the United States.

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What Did Canada Announce?

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will recognise the State of Palestine during the UN General Assembly in September. However, he also made it clear that this recognition is not automatic. It depends on some important conditions.

Carney said that for Canada to fully support a Palestinian state, the Palestinian Authority must take some steps:

• Hold free and fair elections by next year.

• Ensure that Hamas, a group that rules Gaza, does not take part in those elections.

• Reform the way the Palestinian government works.

• Demilitarise the territory, which means removing armed groups and weapons.

Why Is Canada Taking This Step Now?

Carney explained several reasons behind Canada’s decision:

• The situation in Gaza is very serious, with high levels of suffering and starvation.

• Israeli settlements are expanding in the West Bank, reducing the land available for Palestinians.

• The peace process has not made progress in many years.

• The October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel made things worse, but they also highlighted the need for a real solution.

Carney said, “The prospect of a Palestinian state is being eroded before our eyes.” He believes that waiting any longer may make a two-state solution impossible.

What Is the Two-State Solution?

The two-state solution is a long-standing idea where Israel and Palestine exist as two separate countries, living side by side in peace. Canada, like many other countries, has supported this idea for a long time.

But Carney now says that this idea is not working anymore because the situation is getting worse, not better. He feels that recognising Palestine may be a way to push all sides to return to talks and find a peaceful solution.

Reactions from Around the World

Israel Strongly Opposes Canada’s Move

The Israeli Foreign Ministry quickly responded, saying that Canada’s plan is like giving a reward to Hamas, the group that attacked Israel in October 2023. They believe such recognition harms peace efforts and may even encourage more violence.

They wrote on social media, “Canada’s plan harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages.”

The United States Is Not Happy

Former U.S. President Donald Trump also criticised Canada’s decision. On his social media platform Truth Social, he said that the move could damage trade relations between the US and Canada.

Trump wrote:
"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."

The US is a close ally of Israel and has not recognised the Palestinian state. If Canada, the UK, and France all go ahead with recognition, the United States would become the only permanent member of the UN Security Council not to recognise Palestine.

Support from Diplomats and Former Ambassadors

A few days before Carney’s announcement, nearly 200 former Canadian diplomats and ambassadors signed a public letter asking the Canadian government to recognise the State of Palestine.

In their letter, they said: "Canada’s principles are being abandoned daily with the massive displacement, indiscriminate bombardment and starvation of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the violent attacks by extremist settlers in the West Bank."

They believe that Canada must take a stand to protect human rights and push for peace.

What Is the Situation in Gaza?

Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, where around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage, the Israeli military launched a major campaign in Gaza.

According to the health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas:

• Over 60,000 people have died in Gaza since the conflict began.

• 154 people, including 89 children, have died due to malnutrition.

• Many families are struggling to find food, water, and shelter.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney said the situation in Gaza is "rapidly deteriorating" and described the suffering as "intolerable".

What Did the Palestinian Authority Say?

Carney said he had spoken with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), on the day of the announcement. The PA controls parts of the West Bank and is different from Hamas, which rules Gaza.

The last time any elections were held in Palestine was in 2006, and since then, Hamas and Fatah (the party of Abbas) have been ruling separately.

Carney made it clear that Canada’s support depends on the PA taking real steps to restore democracy and avoid letting Hamas participate in governance.

UK and France Made Similar Announcements

Carney’s statement came just one day after the United Kingdom announced that it would also recognise Palestine in September, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and meets certain conditions.

A week earlier, France said that it would move in the same direction.

This puts pressure on the United States, Canada’s closest ally, to also consider a policy change.

Carney was asked whether his decision was influenced by the UK or France or if he consulted Trump. He replied firmly: “Canada makes its own foreign policy decisions.”

How Are Palestinians Reacting?

In Gaza, where access to news and social media is very limited, a few people who managed to hear the news expressed cautious hope.

Imad Abu Shawish, a journalist in Gaza, posted on Facebook: “Another slap to Israel - this time from Canada after France and the UK. Every recognition brings us a step closer to our dream of an independent state.”

Palestinians believe that recognition from powerful countries like Canada, France, and the UK may help their long-held dream of freedom and independence come true.

What Happens Next?

If things go as announced, Canada will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September 2025.

However, the decision will depend on:

• Whether the Palestinian Authority carries out reforms.

• If there are fair elections without Hamas.

• And how international talks on Gaza progress in the coming weeks.

Canada’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state is a bold and historic step, especially as the world watches the tragedy in Gaza unfold. With France and the UK also making similar announcements, the move may open a new chapter in the Middle East peace process.

But the path forward will not be easy. Many challenges remain, and it is unclear how Israel, the US, and Palestinian groups will respond in the long run. Still, for many around the world, this move signals hope for justice, peace, and a better future for Palestinians and Israelis alike.