Canada has become the latest country to declare that it will recognize Palestinian statehood.Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that the move is set to be made at the United Nations General Assembly in September.."Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism, and it means honouring their innate desire for peaceful coexistence," Carney said, noting that recognition of a Palestinian state would come with a number of expectations.Among them are that the release of the October 7 hostages, the holding of democratic elections in 2026, and the promise a disarmed Hamas will "play no role in the future government of Palestine.".Carney went on to reiterate that Canada will "always steadfastly support Israel's existence as an independent state in the Middle East living in peace and security.""Any path to lasting peace for Israel also requires a viable and stable Palestinian state, one that also recognizes Israel's inalienable right to security and peace.".The announcement came after Carney held a virtual cabinet meeting to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and whether Canada should recognize Palestine as a state.This comes after France and the UK announced that they will recognize Palestine as a state, starting in September.Global Affairs Canada said Wednesday that Canada, along with 14 other countries, has issued a joint statement expressing support for the creation of a Palestinian state.In the statement, the countries’ ministers of foreign affairs reiterated their long-standing support for a two-state solution — one where Israel and a future Palestinian state exist side by side, as democratic nations within secure and internationally recognized borders. .France to recognize Palestine as a state.“We, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, and Spain, condemn the heinous and antisemitic terrorist attack of October 7th, 2023,” reads the statement“Demand an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, including the remains, as well as ensuring unhindered humanitarian access.“In the statement, they expressed concern over the high number of civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.The statement also welcomed recent reform commitments made by the President of the Palestinian Authority.These include a condemnation of Hamas’s October 7 attack, a pledge to seek the release of hostages and disarm the group, and promises to reform the education system and end financial support to prisoners.The Palestinian leadership has also committed to holding national elections within a year and accepted the idea of a demilitarized Palestinian state..The recognition will be discussed at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The ministers said that their countries either have recognized or are open to recognizing the State of Palestine, calling on other nations to join in this recognition as a critical step toward a peaceful resolution.French President Emmanuel Macron said on July 24 he will make the announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September.In a post on X, Macron said ending the war in Gaza and providing aid to civilians is an urgent priority, adding that there must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza, while ensuring the demilitarization of Hamas, securing and rebuilding Gaza.Macron has already sent a letter to the President of the Palestinian Authority, expressing his determination to move forward.Following Macron's announcement last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney took to X condemning “the Israeli government’s failure to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza,” and reiterating Canada’s support for a two-state solution, which guarantees peace and security for all citizens, whether Israelis or Palestinians..Carney said international organizations must take over control of aid distribution.“Many of these are holding significant Canadian-funded aid which has been blocked from delivery to starving civilians. This denial is a violation of international law,” reads the post.Meanwhile, the UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said that the UN should be allowed to bring in aid, while taking the necessary steps to ensure lasting peace in the region.Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu reacted with anger."We strongly condemn President Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre. Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it. Let’s be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel," he said.
