- Canada’s support hinges on Abbas enacting reforms, holding credible elections, and ensuring Hamas has no political role in 2026.
- Prime minister Carney said a peaceful two-state solution can’t rely on failed negotiations that yielded no outcome for decades.
The prime minister of Canada, Mark Carney, has said the country will formally recognise Palestine as a sovereign state during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Carney made the declaration on Wednesday after speaking with the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, about conditions for recognition.
The announcement follows similar timelines and plans unveiled by the United Kingdom and France regarding Palestinian statehood.
“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,” Carney said.
“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.”
He condemned Israel’s parliament for pushing annexation of the West Bank and blamed the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza for forcing a change in policy.
“For these reasons, Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025,” the prime minister said.
“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.”
He noted that Canada had already committed over $340 million in aid to Gaza and Palestinian institutions as part of its ongoing humanitarian support.
Carney said the funds include $30 million recently approved to help distressed civilians and another $10 million for stabilisation work in the West Bank.
He added that Hamas must “immediately release all hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack.”
Reacting to the announcement, Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed Canada’s position, describing it as “a reward for Hamas.”