Canada Joins UK and France in Plan to Recognise Palestinian State at UN

Canada to Recognise Palestinian as Statehood

In a landmark foreign policy shift, Canada to Recognise Palestinian as a statehood during the United Nations General Assembly in September. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the decision, making Canada the third G7 nation—after the UK and France—to support Palestinian statehood in recent days.

Carney stated that recognition would be conditional on key democratic reforms from the Palestinian Authority, including a commitment to hold elections without Hamas participation.

“The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable and rapidly deteriorating,” Carney said in a press briefing on Wednesday. “A two-state solution is no longer a distant hope—it must become a diplomatic priority.”

Conditions Include Reforms and Demilitarisation

The Canadian government outlined specific conditions for recognition: the Palestinian Authority must demonstrate democratic accountability, hold free elections in 2026, and commit to full demilitarisation of Gaza. Canada has also urged Hamas to disarm and step away from any role in governing the territory.

Carney reportedly spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the announcement. The Palestinian Authority, led by the Fatah party, controls parts of the West Bank but has not held national elections since 2006.

Canada to Recognise Palestinian: Israel Responds with Sharp Criticism

Israel’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the Canadian announcement, calling it “a reward for Hamas” and accusing Ottawa of undermining efforts to reach a ceasefire.

“Recognising a Palestinian state at this time only emboldens terrorism and obstructs peace,” said an official statement from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Canada’s main opposition party also voiced criticism, warning that the move sends the wrong message in the wake of Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel, which left 1,200 people dead and over 250 taken hostage.

Diplomatic Shift Amid Global Pressure

Canada’s decision comes amid growing international calls to break diplomatic deadlock over the Israel-Palestine conflict. The UK and France announced similar recognition plans earlier this month, marking a coordinated shift among Western allies.

Nearly 200 former Canadian diplomats recently signed an open letter urging the government to act, citing humanitarian concerns in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank.

Carney denied the decision was influenced by the UK or France but acknowledged ongoing consultations with allies. He also dismissed suggestions that U.S. President Donald Trump influenced the announcement, stating, “Canada makes its own foreign policy.”

Humanitarian Crisis Driving Urgency

The Gaza Strip continues to face a devastating humanitarian crisis. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 60,000 people have died since Israel’s military campaign began in response to the Hamas-led attack. Malnutrition-related deaths now total 154, including 89 children.

UN agencies describe the situation as “man-made starvation,” with Israel accused of obstructing vital aid deliveries—an allegation it denies.

As of now, 147 of the UN’s 193 member states recognise the State of Palestine. If the UK, France, and Canada follow through in September, the United States will remain the only permanent UN Security Council member not to do so.

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