Canada recognizes state of Palestine, offers help to build peaceful future with Israel

Canada now officially recognizes the state of Palestine and is doing so with international partners to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution, according to a statement from Prime Minister Mark Carney's office released Sunday morning.

"Over many decades, Canada's commitment to [a two-state solution] was premised on the expectation that this outcome would eventually be achieved as part of a negotiated settlement," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

However, that possibility "has been steadily and gravely eroded" by several developments, including the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, the Israeli parliament's resolution supporting annexation of the occupied West Bank and the Israeli government's restrictions on humanitarian aid.

"Hamas has terrorized the people of Israel and oppressed the people of Gaza, wreaking horrific suffering," the PMO statement said. "Hamas has stolen from the Palestinian people, cheated them of their life and liberty and can in no way dictate their future."

WATCH | Carney says prospect of 2-state solution being 'eroded before our eyes':

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada's decision to recognize the state of Palestine was influenced by the possibility of a two-state solution being 'eroded before our eyes.'

In addition, "the current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established.... It is now the avowed policy of the current Israeli government that 'there will be no Palestinian state."

The PMO added that Canada offers its partnership in "building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel."

The announcement comes as Carney prepares to meet with world leaders in New York during the United Nations General Assembly.

On Sunday morning, Australia and the United Kingdom announced they were recognizing the state of Palestine. In a video statement posted to social media, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government is "acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution."

"That means a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable Palestinian state. At the moment, we have neither," Starmer said.

Carney first announced Canada's move in July and said recognition was conditional on the Palestinian Authority, which controls parts of the West Bank, making certain commitments.

Those commitments include governance reforms, general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part and the demilitarization of the Palestinian state.

The PMO said that "Canada will intensify efforts to support the Palestinian Authority's implementation of this reform agenda, on which progress has already been made."

In an interview on Rosemary Barton Live airing Sunday morning, Canada's ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae, said the federal government "has decided that it's a necessary moment" and recognition is not an "impulsive decision" by Canada.

"I think it's important for us to make it clear — including, frankly, the government of Israel — that we do not think that annexation of any other possible political path is a route that's sustainable or in the best interests of Israel or anybody else," Rae told host Rosemary Barton.

Israel's Foreign Affairs Ministry said on social media on Sunday morning that recognition "is nothing but a reward for jihadist Hamas.... Don't let Jihadist ideology dictate your policy."

Avi Abraham Benlolo, CEO of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative in Toronto, told CBC News his organization is "shocked that it just happened this quickly" and that Carney is moving ahead with recognition despite the Palestinian Authority not meeting the conditions laid out by Canada.

"He's basically reneged on his own words and promise to Canadians," he said, adding that the Jewish community "is feeling both very angry, very upset and also very fearful of what the future holds here in Canada."

Benlolo also said the Palestinian Authority "has no control over Gaza, and Gaza is still at war."

When asked how some could see Canada's recognition of the state of Palestine as offensive, Rae said, "Of course we understand people's feelings. I think it's also important for people to understand the need to think consequentially because there's no point in thinking impulsively about this."

"We all recognize the existence of feelings, but it's important for us to recognize the reality that two states is the best steps to security, both for Israel and for the people of Palestine."

On Friday, a group of U.S. Republicans wrote a letter to Carney, Starmer, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and French President Emmanuel Macron calling recognition a "reckless policy that undermines prospects for peace."

The Republicans also argued that recognition sets a precedent "that violence, not diplomacy, is the most expedient means for terrorist groups like Hamas to achieve their political aims."

Rae said he disagrees "most emphatically with that view" and that Canada's approach is not meant to embolden Hamas.

"This is not intended in any way, shape or form to change Canada's support for the existence and the security of the state of Israel," he said.

The PMO's statement said Canada's recognition "in no way legitimizes terrorism, nor is it any reward for it."