Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that Canada plans to recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, pending a series of commitments from the Palestinian Authority. The move follows similar announcements from France and the United Kingdom.
Carney said the shift in policy aims to preserve the viability of a two-state solution amid escalating instability in the region. He emphasized that Canada’s recognition is conditional on the Palestinian Authority implementing a set of reforms, including holding elections in 2026, barring Hamas from participation in government, and committing to a future demilitarized Palestinian state.
Carney said he spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday to outline the conditions. He acknowledged that Canada had long opposed recognizing Palestine outside the framework of a negotiated peace deal but said that approach is no longer tenable given recent developments.
He cited both Hamas’ October 7 terror attack and ongoing Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank as factors that have undermined prospects for a two-state solution. Carney also pointed to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a driving force behind Canada’s new stance.
“Preserving the two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence,” Carney said. “A path for lasting peace for Israel requires a viable and stable Palestinian state that recognizes Israel’s right for security and peace.”
