Canada to recognise Palestinian state, says PM Carney

Canada to recognise Palestinian state, says PM Carney

Carney justified the decision, saying that it was necessary to preserve hopes of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Canada "intends" to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday.

The announcement marks a dramatic policy shift by the Canadian government.

Carney justified the decision, saying that it was necessary to preserve hopes of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

"Canada intends to recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025," Carney said.

It follows similar moves by France and the UK in recent days.

Carney said Canada's recognition is predicated on the Palestinian Authority "holding general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarise the Palestinian state."

Israel condemned the Canadian government's announcement that it will recognise a Palestinian state in September.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry released a statement saying the decision represented a reward to Hamas.

"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 ministry said.

The Israeli embassy in Ottawa also sharply criticised the Canadian announcement as being a part of a "distorted campaign of international pressure."

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