Canada will recognize a Palestinian state

Mark Carney: Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.

This intention is based on the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to much-needed reforms, including 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 to support strong democratic governance in Palestine and the contributions of its people to a more peaceful and hopeful future.

Today, I spoke at length with President Abbas to reaffirm his commitments.

Canada reiterates that Hamas must immediately release all hostages taken during its horrific terrorist attack on October 7th, that Hamas must disarm, and that Hamas must play no role in the future government of Palestine.

Canada has announced its intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, to be held in September 2025. This decision represents a significant shift in Canadian foreign policy, as although Canada has historically supported the two-state solution, it had never formally taken this step. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who explained that the recognition is conditional upon the fulfillment of certain commitments by the Palestinian Authority.

Among the conditions set by Canada to proceed with recognition are three key points: the holding of general Palestinian elections in 2026 in which Hamas cannot participate, the complete demilitarization of the future Palestinian state, and the implementation of deep institutional reforms to ensure democratic and transparent governance. Carney also reported that he had held a direct conversation with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to reaffirm these commitments and ensure they are fulfilled before September 2025.

The Canadian Prime Minister justified this stance by highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, worsened by Israeli blockades, the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the devastating consequences of the Hamas attacks in October 2023. Carney stated, “The prospect of a two-state solution is eroding before our eyes,” emphasizing that the recognition aims to revitalize the peace process and offer hope to millions of Palestinians suffering the consequences of the conflict.

In addition, Canada joins other G7 countries like France and the United Kingdom, which have also announced plans to recognize Palestine under similar conditions. This diplomatic coordination among traditional U.S. allies has increased international pressure on Israel, particularly on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, to agree to negotiate a sustainable political solution and respect international law.

The Israeli government reacted harshly to the announcement, calling it a “reward for Hamas” and warning that such measures undermine efforts to free hostages and attempts to reach a lasting ceasefire. At the same time, former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Canadian recognition could complicate trade agreements between Washington and Ottawa, especially at a time when key elements of the North American trade agreement are being renegotiated.

For their part, Palestinian leaders welcomed the announcement. President Abbas called the decision “historic” and stated that it represents a concrete step toward self-determination and regional stability. He also expressed his willingness to cooperate with Canada and other countries in designing internal reforms that allow for the establishment of a democratic, peaceful, and demilitarized Palestine.

The Canadian announcement also fits within a broader international context, where over 140 countries have already formally recognized the State of Palestine. International organizations, scholars, and legal experts have endorsed the decision, arguing that recognition may generate a domino effect that pushes forward new peace negotiations and reduces violence in the region.

Finally, Canada reiterated that Hamas must immediately release all hostages abducted during its October 7, 2023 attack, must fully disarm, and must have no role in the future Palestinian government. According to Carney, “Lasting peace will only be possible if a demilitarized Palestinian state is established, with legitimate institutions, democratically elected, and committed to peaceful coexistence with Israel.”