Canada intends to recognize the state of Palestine by September, Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a press conference on Wednesday, noting that move will be ‘predicated’ by the Palestinian Authority’s agreement with “much-needed reforms.”
“The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delay in coordinated international action to support peace, security, and the dignity of all human life,” Carney said.
“For these reasons, Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025,” he said.
Carney said Canada’s recognition of a Palestinian state will be predicated on “on the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to much-needed reforms, including the commitments by Palestinian Authority President Abbas to fundamentally reform its governance.”
He said the Palestinian Authority would have to agree to hold general elections in 2026, in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state.
The “pervasive threat of Hamas terrorism to Israel and its people” and the “accelerated settlement building across the West Bank and East Jerusalem” had “steadily and gravely eroded” the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution, Carney said.
He criticized the “ongoing failure by the Israeli government to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza, with impeded access to food and other essential humanitarian supplies.”
While reiterating Canada’s support for Israel, Carney said, “Hamas must immediately release all hostages taken in the horrific terrorist attack of Oct. 7; that Hamas must disarm; and that Hamas must play no role in the future governance of Palestine.”
Carney expressed concern over “rising antisemitism, in words, actions, and violence – including against Jewish communities here in Canada.”
“It is why we are introducing legislation this fall that will make it a criminal offence to intentionally and willfully obstruct access to any place of worship, schools, and community centres. We will also invest in the physical protection of vulnerable communities and places of worship,” he added.
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When asked how he expects elections to be held in Gaza under the current conditions, he answered that they were “not a possibility now.”
“Much has to happen before a democratic, viable state of Palestine is established,” he said.
The Conservative Party said it supported a two-state solution but added that the time was not right for Canada to recognize a Palestinian state.
“A unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood, without peace negotiations or a renunciation of violence, destroys the path to a durable, two-state solution. Worse, it legitimizes terrorism by handing political rewards to a group that rules Gaza through fear, oppression, and brutality,” the party said in a statement.
The statement added that recognition “sends the wrong message to the world: that violence and terror are effective tools for achieving political objectives. If the government recognizes the Palestinian state now, it is impossible that Hamas will not play a central role.”
The Israeli ambassador to Canada said they rejected Ottawa’s recognition of Palestinian statehood.
“Let us be clear: Israel will not bow to the distorted campaign of international pressure against it. We will not sacrifice our very existence by permitting the imposition of a jihadist state on our ancestral homeland that seeks our annihilation,” said Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed.
Canada is joining 14 other countries in expressing openness to recognizing a Palestinian state, a joint statement from the countries said on Wednesday.
A meeting of the heads of state and governments will take place during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The joint statement opened by reiterating the countries’ condemnation of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. They also reiterated “our unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side.”
The group of 15 demanded “an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages of Hamas.”
“We, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain, have already recognized, have expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration of our countries to recognize the State of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-State solution, and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call,” the statement read.
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said France will recognize a Palestinian state and formalize the decision at the UNGA meeting in September.
On Monday, the United Kingdom said it would also recognize Palestinian statehood unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the “appalling situation” in Gaza and meets other conditions, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told his cabinet on Tuesday, according to a government statement.
According to Global Affairs Canada, Canada’s policy on the matter is that the country “recognizes the Palestinian right to self-determination and supports the creation of a sovereign, independent, viable, democratic, and territorially contiguous Palestinian state.”
“Canada is prepared to recognize a Palestinian state at the time most conducive to lasting peace, not necessarily as the last step along the path to achieving the two-state solution,” according to a policy document posted on the federal government’s website.
At the same time, “Canada supports Israel’s right to live in peace with its neighbours within secure boundaries and recognizes Israel’s right to assure its own security.”
“Israel has a right under international law to take the necessary measures, in accordance with human rights and international humanitarian law, to protect the security of its citizens from attacks by terrorist groups,” the policy document also noted. “Canada and Israel enjoy a steadfast friendship and strong, growing bilateral relations in many areas based on shared values, including democracy.”
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