Mideast crisis: Canada to recognise Palestinian state in September; specifies certain conditions
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that Canada will recognise a Palestinian state in September, but only if the Palestinian Authority commits to holding democratic elections and implementing key reformsThe statement came after Carney spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas earlier in the day. The prime minister’s announcement follows similar moves by allied countries in recent days.“Canada intends to recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025,” Carney said, reported AFP. He added that the suffering in Gaza had become “intolerable” and emphasised that the move was necessary to preserve hopes of a two-state solution.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday that the United Kingdom will recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza, allows United Nations aid into the region, and takes further steps toward long-term peace.France made a similar declaration last week but without conditions. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday there was “no alternative” to recognizing a Palestinian state and confirmed France intends to do so at the United Nations General Assembly in September.The issue has sparked growing political support within Canada. In the past week, several Liberal MPs have called on the government to follow France’s lead.Toronto MP Salma Zahid and Montreal-area MP Sameer Zuberi both posted on social media, urging Canada to join France in announcing recognition of a Palestinian state. Fares Al Soud, who represents Mississauga Centre, added that “justice for the Palestinian people demands recognition,” as quoted by CBS News.Last fall, dozens of MPs from the Liberal Party, NDP, Bloc Quebecois, and Green Party supported an international call for the recognition of Palestinian statehood.Canada has long supported the idea of a future Palestinian state that would coexist peacefully alongside Israel.
