Canada recognizes the state of Palestine, offers aid to build a peaceful future with Israel
Canada officially recognizes Palestine’s state and the fact with international partners to preserve the prospect of a two -state solution, according to a statement from Prime Minister Mark Carney published on Sunday morning.
“In many decades, Canada’s commitment to (a two -state solution) was based on the expectation that this result would ultimately be achieved within the framework of a negotiated regulation,” said Prime Minister’s office (PMO).
However, this possibility “was regularly eroded” by several developments, notably the attack led by October 7, 2023 against Israel, the resolution of the Israeli Parliament supporting the annexation of the occupied West Bank and restrictions by the Israeli government with humanitarian aid.
“Hamas has terrorized the people of Israel and oppressed the people of Gaza, making horrible sufferings,” said the PMO press release. “Hamas has stolen from the Palestinian people, deceived them with their lives and their freedom and cannot in any case dictate their future.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada’s decision to recognize that Palestine’s state was influenced by the possibility that a two -state solution is “eroded before our eyes”.
In addition, “the current Israeli government works methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from being created … It is now the admitted policy of the current Israeli government according to which” there will be no Palestinian state “.
The PMO added that Canada offers its partnership in “the realization of the promise of a peaceful future for the State of Palestine and the State of Israel”.
The announcement comes when Carney is preparing to meet world leaders in New York at the United Nations General Assembly.
Sunday morning, Australia and the United Kingdom announced that they recognized the state of Palestine. In a video declaration published on social networks, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that his government “acts to maintain the possibility of peace and a solution to two states”.
Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and the Israelis, and a solution of two states, the United Kingdom officially recognizes the state of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/yrg6lywc1s
“It means a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable Palestinian state. For the moment, we don’t have,” said Starmer.
Carney announced for the first time Canada’s decision in July and declared that recognition was conditional to the Palestinian Authority, which controls certain parts of the West Bank, making certain commitments.
These commitments include governance reforms, the general elections in 2026 in which Hamas cannot play any role and the demilitarization of the Palestinian state.
The PMO said that “Canada will intensify efforts to support the implementation by the Palestinian authority of this reform program, on which progress has already been made”.
In a press release, the conservative leader Pierre Hairy said that recognition was “another effort (from Carney) to distract his record of crime, costs, debt, immigration and employment”.
“The conservatives will always defend Israel’s right to exist and defend themselves, living next to a future demilitarized Palestinian state, terror, democratic and peaceful. The conservatives will focus on what is good for Canada because it is time to put our country first for a change,” he said.
The United Nations Ambassador David Lametti, addressing the host of the CBC CBC Catherine Cullen CBC house, says that Canada will wait for a decision of the resolution or the CIJ of the ONC before taking a position on the question of whether the military activity of Israel in Gaza constitutes a genocide.
Hamas said in a statement that the recognition of a Palestinian state by Canada, as well as by the United Kingdom and Australia, is an “important step in maintaining the law of our Palestinian people to their land and their holy sites, and to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as capital”.
“This important step must be accompanied by practical measures resulting in an immediate stop of the brutal genocide against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and to face the annexation and judgment plans in the West Bank and in Jerusalem,” he added.
“ A necessary moment ” explains the ambassador of Canada
In an interview on Rosemary Barton Live This was broadcast on Sunday morning, Canada Ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae, said that the federal government “decided that it was a necessary moment” and that recognition is not a “impulsive decision” by Canada.
“I think it is important for us to specify – including, frankly, the government of Israel – that we do not think that the annexation of another possible political path is a lasting path or in the best interest of Israel or someone else,” said Rae Rosemary Barton.
The Israeli Embassy in Canada said that it was “deeply disappointed by Canada’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state in the current context”, which he added, does not hear hostages at home, the free Palestinians of Hamas nor guarantee a peaceful future for the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Political correspondent Rosemary Barton speaks with Bob Rae, Canada Ambassador to the United Nations, of the Canadian government’s decision to officially recognize Palestine and what it means for stability in the region.
“He only rewards Hamas and his sympathizers,” said the embassy. “We force the Government of Canada to cancel this decision and support a future agreement developed by direct negotiations and mutual recognition.”
Avi Abraham Benlolo, CEO of Abraham Global Peace Initiative in Toronto, told CBC News that his organization was “shocked that this happened quickly” and that Carney was going forward with recognition despite the Palestinian authority which does not meet the conditions established by Canada.
“He essentially reinforced his own words and promises Canadians,” he said, adding that the Jewish community “feels very angry, very upset and also very frightening of what the future has in Canada.”
Benlolo also said that the Palestinian authority “has no control over Gaza, and that Gaza is still at war.”
When asked for how some could see the recognition of Canada from Palestine as offensive, Rae said: “Of course, we understand people’s feelings. I think it is also important for people to understand the need to think because it is useless to think impulsively about that.”
“We all recognize the existence of feelings, but it is important for us to recognize reality that two states are the best stages of security, both for Israel and for the people of Palestine.”
Friday, a group of American Republicans wrote a letter to Carney, Starmer, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and French President Emmanuel Macron calling for the recognition of “reckless politics that undermines the prospects for peace”.
The Republicans also argued that recognition establishes a precedent “that violence, and not diplomacy, is the most appropriate means for terrorist groups like Hamas to achieve their political objectives”.
Rae said that he did not agree “especially with this point of view” and that the Canada approach is not intended to embrace Hamas. “This is not intended for in no case a form or form to change Canada’s support for the existence and security of the State of Israel,” he said.
The PMO press release said Canada’s recognition “in no way legitimizes terrorism or a reward”.
You have to do more, explains the Palestinian lawyer
James Kafieh, lawyer and vice-president of the Palestinian Canadian Congress, said that recognition was “wonderful, although it was 30 years late. But I think it is a wonderful progression, even if it occurs under the leadership in Gaza.”
He added: “There is not much Palestine left that the Israelis have not already annexed, but this can mark the tour of Palestinian history which will finally allow the Palestinians to achieve the state.”
Canada has not called the Gaza crisis a genocide. The United Nations Ambassador David Lametti, a former liberal justice minister, told CBC The house This week, the government “needs all the evidence to come” and be assessed before it takes this determination.
Lametti also said that Canada’s decision generally followed an example of a United Nations resolution or a decision of the International Court of Justice.
On the same day, an offensive on the ground was launched in Gaza City, a report by the United Nations Commission concluded that Israel committed a genocide in Gaza, a conclusion clearly refused by Israeli officials.
A United Nations commission of inquiry in Geneva concluded on Tuesday that Israel had committed a genocide in Gaza and that senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had prompted these acts – accusations that Israel called Scandalous.
Now that Canada recognizes Palestine’s state, Kafieh said, the following question is how the Canadian government will protect the region. He called Ottawa to impose sanctions against the State of Israel, not just Israeli officials, as Canada has done in the past.
Stephen Brown, CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said that Canada’s recognition is a “historic day”, but that it comes with a “bit bitter reaction” because the Palestinians are faced with “extremely difficult situations, especially with regard to famine”.
“In the end, what matters here is a very difficult situation and the world must use each latest tool in its toolbox. Recognition of sovereignty is one of these tools,” said Brown. “Ensuring security is another tool.”
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