ISRAELI–PALESTINIAN CONFLICT
Canada joins France, UK in planning to recognize Palestinian state
Canada has announced its plan to recognize a Palestinian state in September, aligning itself with France and the UK and creating a growing gulf with the United States on the issue. The decision comes amid building international pressure on Israel over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution. The recognition, he said, would be at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations. Carney also noted that he had been assured by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that long-delayed elections would be held in 2026 and that Hamas would “play no part.”
The move follows similar announcements from France, which also plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September, and the UK, which has said it will do so if Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza. This collective action leaves the U.S. increasingly isolated from some of its closest allies.
U.S. and Israel respond
U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the news with criticism, hinting on Truth Social that Canada’s decision could derail ongoing trade talks. “Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh’ Canada!!!” he wrote.
His comments come at a sensitive time, as a 35% tariff hike on some Canadian goods is set to kick in if the two countries do not reach a trade agreement by August 1.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Ministry quickly “rejected” Canada’s decision, calling it a “reward to Hamas.” The ministry stated that the change in Canada’s position “harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.” Iddo Moed, Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, said on X, “Israel will not bow to the distorted campaign of international pressure against it.”
Broader context
The recognition of a Palestinian state by these countries is also a result of renewed international attention on the war in Gaza, particularly the hunger crisis caused by Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid. This development follows a joint statement from Canada, the UK, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia that sanctioned two Israeli far-right ministers over extremist settler violence.
France, however, welcomed Canada’s announcement and expressed its intent to encourage other nations to join this momentum ahead of the General Assembly in September.
