Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at a UN meeting in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney said, adding that the goal is to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Carney told reporters that this planned move depends on whether the Palestinian Authority commits to reforms, including fundamental reform of governance and holding general elections in 2026, in which “Hamas“ will not be able to participate.
Canada has long said that it will recognize a Palestinian state only after peace talks with Israel are concluded, Reuters points out. But Carney has now said that the realities on the ground, including the starvation of Gazans, mean that "the prospect of a Palestinian state is literally disappearing before our eyes."
He said the reasons include the "overarching threat of Hamas terrorism" against Israel“, the accelerated construction of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as a recent declaration voted in the Israeli parliament calling for the annexation of the West Bank.
“Canada condemns the fact that the Israeli government allowed the catastrophe in Gaza to happen“, Carney also said.
Israel condemned Ottawa's intentions and said that this constitutes a reward for the militant group “Hamas“.
“The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for “Hamas“ and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and to release the hostages“, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.