Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday that Canada will recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, a major shift in the country’s long-standing Middle East policy. Carney said the move aims to preserve the two-state solution as conditions in Gaza worsen.
The decision hinges on the Palestinian Authority’s pledge to enact significant reforms, including overhauling governance structures and holding general elections in 2026 without participation from Hamas. Carney stressed that these commitments are essential to ensure a viable and democratic Palestinian state.
Canada had previously maintained that recognition would only come after peace negotiations with Israel. However, Carney highlighted deteriorating conditions on the ground, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and increased Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. He also condemned the recent Knesset vote supporting West Bank annexation, calling it a direct threat to regional stability.
“The prospect of a Palestinian state is literally receding before our eyes,” Carney said, adding that Canada “condemns the fact that the Israeli government has allowed a catastrophe to unfold in Gaza.”
This marks a significant policy pivot for Canada, positioning it among a growing number of nations seeking to advance Palestinian statehood amid escalating conflict and humanitarian concerns in the region.