NEW YORK — Prime Minister Mark Carney formally announced that Canada will recognize a Palestinian state ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, as the international gathering of world leaders grapples with ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
“While Canada is under no illusions that this recognition is a panacea, this recognition is firmly aligned with the principles of self-determination and fundamental human rights reflected in the United Nations Charter, and the consistent policy of Canada for generations,” Carney said in a statement Sunday.
Other major international allies, including the United Kingdom and Australia, joined Canada in recognizing an independent Palestinian state, and others were expected to join during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week — likely causing agitation for the Trump administration.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has criticized the move, saying it emboldens Hamas — the group that led the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks — and makes negotiating a ceasefire deal and the release of hostages more difficult.
Canada has long called for a “two-state” solution — a Palestinian state existing in peace alongside Israel. For years, Ottawa suggested recognition would only come at the end of peace talks between Palestinian and Israeli leaders.
With the “pervasive threat of Hamas terrorism to Israel,” the spread of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and “the Israeli government’s contribution to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza,” Carney said “this possibility has been steadily and gravely eroded.”
Today, Canada recognises the State of Palestine.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney)
“It is in this context that Canada recognizes the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel,” Carney said. “Canada does so as part of a co-ordinated international effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.”
The news was met with tepid appreciation at a Palestine solidarity rally in North York on Sunday, which was planned before the government’s announcement and was focused on children killed in Gaza.
About 100 demonstrators lined Don Mills Road with Palestinian flags and signs that read “Honk for a Free Palestine,” “Palestinian Children Matter” and “What if it were your children under the rubble?” while chanting slogans such as “Free the people, free the land, no peace on stolen land.”
One of those protesters was Moez Barbudo, who said that while he was encouraged to hear Canada is recognizing the state of Palestine, he wants to see the government take a firmer stance backed by real action.
He called the recognition “a step in the right direction, but not nearly enough.”
He called for Canada to place sanctions on Israel and any assets they have in Canadian financial institutions, to prosecute Canadian citizens who are serving in the Israel Defense Forces and impose a complete arms embargo.
“We have to continue Canada’s longstanding tradition of standing up for human rights all around the world,” he said. “Rather than trying to appease the Israeli government or Israeli lobbying groups, we need to take a more principled and straightforward approach, like we’ve done in the past.”
Daniela Maria Bonamico said she was “thrilled” to hear Canada recognizing a Palestinian state, but also concerned that it won’t lead to material change.
“I think that what we’ve been getting is a slightly more positive change in the tone, but still a lot of lip service,” she said. “It’s things said that are meant to placate the masses, with no actual effective change being implemented.”
She said Canada’s recognition of Palestine is the “bare minimum” and that the government needs to do more, including sanctioning Israel, for violating international law.
“Any way that there’s a positive step toward the end of a genocide, towards the freedom of the Palestinian people, and the right for them to have self-determination and their children to be safe … is still a step in the right direction,” she said.
With files from Omar Mosleh
