Canada to Recognise Palestinian State in September

Canada will recognise a Palestinian state in September, contingent on democratic reforms within the Palestinian Authority, making it the third G7 nation to do so after the UK and France.

Canada will formally recognise a Palestinian state this September, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Tuesday, making the country the third G7 nation—after the United Kingdom and France—to take such a step. The recognition, Carney said, will be contingent upon democratic reforms within the Palestinian Authority, including the holding of free and fair elections without the participation of Hamas.

Speaking at a press conference in Ottawa, Carney cited Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in the occupied territories, the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the stalled Middle East peace process as key motivations for Canada's policy shift. “The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,” he stated, adding that the traditional two-state negotiation framework had become increasingly unviable in the absence of meaningful progress.

The announcement was met with immediate backlash from Israel, which accused Canada of rewarding Hamas and undermining ongoing ceasefire efforts. Israel's Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning the move as “irresponsible” and “damaging to prospects for peace.” Canada’s opposition Conservative Party also criticised the decision, calling it a misguided response to the 7 October attacks and a departure from Canada's longstanding foreign policy position.

However, Carney defended the decision as both principled and pragmatic. “This move reflects Canada’s independent foreign policy and our commitment to international law, human rights, and long-term peace,” he said. He stressed that the recognition was not influenced by the UK or France, despite similarities in timing and approach.

In a show of support, nearly 200 former Canadian diplomats have endorsed the recognition, saying it aligns with Canada’s core democratic and humanitarian values. “This decision puts Canada on the right side of history,” a joint statement from the diplomats read. “Recognising Palestinian statehood is essential for the credibility of any future peace process.”

If carried through as planned, Canada will join 147 out of 193 UN member states that already recognise Palestine as a sovereign state. The announcement marks a significant shift in Ottawa's Middle East policy and places additional pressure on other Western nations to reassess their positions on Palestinian recognition amid worsening conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.

The Canadian government is expected to formalise the recognition through diplomatic channels in early September, pending further consultations with international partners and a final review of the Palestinian Authority’s commitments to the proposed reforms.