Wednesday July 30, 2025 | OTTAWA, ON [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC]
[Posted at 4 pm | Updated 6:32 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Canada will recognize Palestine at the 80th assembly of the United Nations in September 2025. This aligns with positions of France and the United Kingdom, and others.
That announcement was made today in Ottawa by Prime Minister Mark Carney after holding a meeting with his federal cabinet ministers on two topics — the Middle East and the trade negotiations with the United States.
“Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution – an independent, viable, and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security,” the prime minister said today.
Palestine to hold election in 2026:
Carney highlighted that Palestine has committed to holding elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to not militarizing the country.
Carney said that Hamas must disarm and play no role in the future governance of Palestine.
“Much has to happen for a democratic viable state is established in Palestine, we recognize that. I’m not minimizing the enormous task,” Carney told media today in Ottawa.
Returning the hostages:
Prime Minister Mark Carney says that Canada requires Hamas to release all remaining Israel hostages who have been in Gaza (alive or now deceased) since October 7, 2023.
More aid funding:
In the very short term, Canada has pledged $30 million (on top of $340 already committed) in new funding to help address the needs of Palestinian civilians, and $10 million to support the Palestinian Authority’s role in stabilizing and governing the West Bank
Canada is working with partners such as Jordan to deliver assistance to those who need it, Carney outlined.
Current timing:
Combining the two topics in one media availability (Middle East and Canada-US trade negotiations) may be strategic as to the presumed (still not firm?) looming August 1 deadline for a trade deal between Canada and the United States.
What seems to have tipped the two-state stance over the edge is the clear evidence of widespread food shortages in Gaza which is leading to malnutrition and death of civilians.
Conservative support:
Conservatives say in statement today that their party has long supported a two-state solution—one that allows a future Palestinian state to exist peacefully, securely, and prosperously alongside the State of Israel.
But in the continuing aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, the Conservatives believe that recognizing the Palestinian state now makes it impossible for Hamas to not play a central role.
“A unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood, without peace negotiations or a renunciation of violence, destroys the path to a durable, two-state solution,” the Conservatives stated in a release today.
NDP support:
The federal NDP calls the federal government’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations “a welcome step forward”.
The NDP credits “hundreds of thousands of Canadians who have spoken up for justice and peace over the past 21 months,” says NDP critic for Foreign Affairs Heather McPherson.
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Statement by Prime Minister Carney on Canada’s recognition of a Palestinian state
July 30, 2025
“Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution – an independent, viable, and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security.
For decades, it was hoped that this outcome would be achieved as part of a peace process built around a negotiated settlement between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.
Regrettably, this approach is no longer tenable. Prospects for a two-state solution have been steadily and gravely eroded, including by:
- The pervasive threat of Hamas terrorism to Israel and its people, culminating in the heinous terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, and Hamas’ longstanding violent rejection of Israel’s right to exist and a two-state solution.
- The accelerated settlement building across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while settler violence against Palestinians has soared.
- Actions such as the E1 Settlement Plan and this month’s vote by the Knesset calling for the annexation of the West Bank.
- The ongoing failure by the Israeli government to prevent the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian disaster in Gaza, with impeded access to food and other essential humanitarian supplies.
The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delay in co-ordinated international action to support peace, security, and the dignity of all human life. Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism, and honouring their innate desire for the peaceful co-existence of Israeli and Palestinian states as the only roadmap for a secure and prosperous future.
For these reasons, Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.
This intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to much-needed reforms, including the commitments by Palestinian Authority President Abbas to fundamentally reform its governance, to hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state. Canada will increase its efforts in supporting strong, democratic governance in Palestine and the contributions of its people to a more peaceful and hopeful future.
We reiterate that Hamas must immediately release all hostages taken in the horrific terrorist attack of October 7; that Hamas must disarm; and that Hamas must play no role in the future governance of Palestine. Canada will always steadfastly support Israel’s existence as an independent state in the Middle East living in peace and security. Any path to lasting peace for Israel also requires a viable and stable Palestinian state, and one that recognizes Israel’s inalienable right to security and peace.
Canada has already committed over $340 million in humanitarian aid to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza including $30 million in new funding to help address the needs of Palestinian civilians, and $10 million to support the Palestinian Authority’s role in stabilizing and governing the West Bank. We are working with our allies to deliver immediate assistance to those in dire need.
We will intensify our efforts with our international partners to develop a credible peace plan that establishes governance and security arrangements for Palestine and ensures the delivery of humanitarian aid at the necessary scale to Gaza. Canada will be a constructive partner in building a just, meaningful, and lasting peace in the region, and a future that respects the dignity, security, and aspirations of all Palestinians and Israelis.”