OTTAWA (Kashmir English): Canada has announced that it will officially recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in September 2025. The decision marks a major shift in Canada’s foreign policy and aligns the country with several European nations pushing for a two-state solution.
The announcement came after France said last week it would recognize a Palestinian state and a day after Britain said it would recognize the state at September’s UN General Assembly meeting if the fighting in Gaza, part of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, had not stopped by then.
Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the announcement on Wednesday, stating that Canada supports a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the broader Middle East. He emphasized that recognizing Palestine is a step toward lasting peace and justice for both Palestinians and Israelis.
According to official sources, Canada’s recognition will come with specific conditions. These include democratic reforms within the Palestinian Authority, free elections in 2026 excluding Hamas, and a commitment to a demilitarized Palestinian state. Carney stressed that Canada does not support violence or extremism and expects a peaceful path forward.
The announcements by some of Israel’s closest allies reflect growing international outrage over Israel’s restrictions on food and other aid to Gaza in its war against Hamas, and the dire humanitarian crisis there. A global hunger monitor has warned that a worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding in the enclave.
However, the announcement has received criticism from Israel, which labeled the decision as rewarding terrorism. US President Donald Trump also warned that Canada’s move might negatively affect trade negotiations between the two countries, potentially delaying a new US-Canada trade deal.
“The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages,” the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made similar comments after the French and British announcements.
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said President Donald Trump also sees recognition of the State of Palestine as wrongly “rewarding Hamas.
Despite the backlash, the Canadian government stands by its decision. Officials believe that this recognition will boost international efforts to resolve the conflict and revive stalled peace talks between Israel and Palestine.
A recent international conference in New York on Gaza, held just days earlier, also pushed for global recognition of Palestinian statehood. Canada’s commitment is seen as a direct outcome of that global pressure and diplomatic momentum.
Prime Minister Carney concluded his statement by saying, “This is not about taking sides. This is about standing up for peace, fairness, and the rights of people to live freely.”
