Canada announces intention to recognize Palestine, Israel strongly condemns move

Thursday 31 July 2025 - 09:30

Ottawa has declared its plan to recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming 80th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2025. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the announcement on Wednesday, citing the “intolerable” humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the urgent need to preserve the two-state solution.

“This possibility is slipping away before our eyes,” Carney said in a press conference. He explained that Canada’s decision is rooted in its long-standing support for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The move also aligns with reforms promised by the Palestinian Authority, including general elections in 2026 and commitments to maintain a demilitarized state.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the Canadian position, calling it a “courageous decision at a historic crossroads.”

Israel reacted swiftly and harshly, accusing Ottawa of playing into Hamas’s hands. The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized Canada’s decision, claiming it undermines ceasefire efforts and rewards extremism. Israel's embassy in Ottawa decried the move as part of an “international pressure campaign.”

In contrast, France applauded Canada’s announcement and expressed its intention to collaborate in efforts to restart peace negotiations. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also signaled a possible recognition in September, contingent upon specific Israeli actions such as agreeing to a ceasefire.

Carney also condemned Hamas’s violence and Israel’s failure to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. He criticized the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are considered illegal under international law.

Canada’s decision comes amid warnings from UN-backed monitors about famine risks in Gaza. The strip has been under a tight Israeli blockade since Hamas’s October 2023 attack, leaving 2.4 million Palestinians under siege.