Canada is set to make a groundbreaking foreign policy decision by recognizing a Palestinian state, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. This announcement comes as part of a coordinated effort by G7 nations to address the ongoing conflict in the region. Carney emphasized that Canada's recognition of Palestinian statehood is contingent upon key democratic reforms, including the Palestinian Authority holding elections and demilitarizing the territory.
Carney's decision to recognize a Palestinian state follows similar announcements by the United Kingdom and France, both of whom have taken a firm stance on the issue. The UK announced its intention to recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire and other conditions, while France unveiled its own plan a week earlier. However, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized Canada's announcement, calling it "a reward for Hamas."
Canada's Prime Minister highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas as key factors influencing Canada's decision to recognize Palestinian statehood. Carney called the level of human suffering in Gaza "intolerable," and stated that the prospect of a two-state solution is being eroded.
The Prime Minister also revealed that he had spoken with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas regarding the announcement. It is important to note that the Palestinian Authority controls parts of the West Bank through the Fatah party led by Abbas, while Hamas runs Gaza. Neither territory has held elections since 2006.
Canada's announcement has faced criticism from both Israel and the Canadian opposition party. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that Canada's plan "harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages." Meanwhile, Canada's Conservatives argue that recognizing a Palestinian state in the aftermath of the October 7 terrorist atrocities sends the wrong message to the world.
The Prime Minister has been under pressure to address Palestinian statehood since the UK and France, close Canadian allies, made their own statements on the issue. Nearly 200 former Canadian ambassadors and diplomats signed a letter calling on Carney to recognize a Palestinian state, citing Canada's principles being abandoned daily with the massive displacement, indiscriminate bombardment, and starvation of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
When asked whether he was influenced by the UK and France's announcements or whether he had consulted US President Donald Trump, Carney maintained that Canada makes its own foreign policy decisions. If France and the UK do formally recognize Palestinian statehood, the US - a strong ally of Israel - will be the only permanent member of the UN Security Council not to do so.
The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since then, over 60,000 people have been killed in Gaza, and 154 people, including 89 children, have died from malnutrition, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
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