Canada follows France and UK with plan to recognise Palestinian state

July 31, 2025

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada's intention to formally recognize a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, making it the third G7 nation after the UK and France to make such an announcement recently. The recognition is contingent upon democratic reforms, including the Palestinian Authority holding elections next year without Hamas participation. Carney cited the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, and the October 7, 2023 attacks as reasons for this significant shift in foreign policy.

Who is affected

Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank
The Palestinian Authority and President Mahmoud Abbas
Israeli citizens and government
Hamas
Canadian foreign policy stakeholders
Other G7 nations, particularly the UK and France who made similar announcements
The United States, which maintains strong ties with Israel

What action is being taken

Canada is planning to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September
Prime Minister Carney is communicating with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas about the announcement
Nearly 200 former Canadian ambassadors and diplomats are advocating for Palestinian statehood through signed letters
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is criticizing Canada's announcement through public statements
Canada's Conservative opposition party is expressing disagreement with Carney's announcement

Why it matters

This represents a significant shift in Canada's foreign policy approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Canada joins 147 of the UN's 193 member states that already recognize a Palestinian state
The decision aligns Canada with other G7 nations like the UK and France, potentially isolating the US as the only permanent UN Security Council member not recognizing Palestine
The announcement comes amid ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 60,000 people have been killed and 154 have died from malnutrition according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry
The recognition is linked to governance reforms and demilitarization of Palestinian territories, potentially influencing Palestinian politics

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article beyond the formal recognition planned for September at the UN General Assembly.

Read full article from source: BBC