Canada will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday — a landmark shift in Canadian foreign policy that has drawn sharp criticism from Israel and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Carney framed the move as a necessary step to preserve the long-elusive two-state solution, which he warned was “being eroded before our eyes.”
“The suffering of civilians in Gaza demands urgent and coordinated international action. Canada will stand for peace,” he stated.
Canada now joins France and the United Kingdom in announcing plans to recognise Palestinian statehood at the upcoming UN session, positioning three major Western powers in support of the move.
Israel immediately condemned the announcement, calling it part of a “distorted campaign of international pressure.” In Ottawa, the Israeli embassy issued a strongly worded statement:
“Recognising a Palestinian state in the absence of accountable government, functioning institutions, or responsible leadership rewards and legitimises the monstrous barbarity of Hamas on October 7, 2023.”
The Palestinian Authority (PA), led by President Mahmoud Abbas, welcomed the announcement as a “historic” decision. France also praised Canada's move, expressing hope for a renewed international effort to advance peace in the region.
Trump, meanwhile, took to Truth Social to criticise the decision and suggested it could strain U.S.-Canada trade relations.
“Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them,” he posted.
Responding to questions about whether Canada might reverse its position ahead of the UN vote, Carney said, “There’s a scenario — but possibly one that I can’t imagine.”
He emphasised that Canada’s recognition was contingent on the Palestinian Authority enacting critical reforms, including barring Hamas from future political participation and committing to demilitarisation. He also cited Abbas's pledge to hold general elections in 2026 as a condition for Canada's continued support.
The decision goes further than that of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who said Britain would recognise Palestine in September unless Israel undertakes significant steps, including agreeing to a Gaza ceasefire.
Carney acknowledged the long-standing Canadian support for a negotiated peace settlement, but said that reality had shifted.
“Regrettably, this approach is no longer tenable,” he said, pointing to the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and a recent Israeli parliamentary vote calling for the annexation of the West Bank.
He stressed that Canada’s decision was also in Israel’s long-term interest.
“Any path to lasting peace for Israel also requires a viable and stable Palestinian state — one that recognises Israel’s inalienable right to security and peace,” Carney said.
The announcement marks a defining moment in Canada’s Middle East policy and sets the stage for a potentially dramatic diplomatic showdown at the UN in September.
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