Post by : Raman

In a historic move, Canada has become the first G7 country to officially recognise a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday that Canada “offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future” for both Palestine and Israel.

Australia and the United Kingdom quickly followed, announcing their own recognition of Palestine. The decisions come amid growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing settlement building in the West Bank. These issues will be discussed at a United Nations meeting later this week.

Israel has strongly opposed these recognitions, calling them a reward for Hamas following the 7 October 2023 attack that left 1,200 people dead and 251 kidnapped. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority welcomed the move, stating it “aligns with international law and legitimacy resolutions.”

Prime Minister Carney clarified that recognising Palestine does not support terrorism. He said Hamas must release all hostages, disarm, and play no role in future governance. Canada’s recognition focuses on the Palestinian Authority, which has committed to democratic reforms and elections without Hamas participation.

Carney stressed that this decision does not weaken Canada support for Israel. He highlighted ongoing obstacles to the two-state solution, including Hamas’s rejection of Israel’s right to exist, accelerated settlement building, Knesset votes for West Bank annexation, and Israel’s contribution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Currently, Israel occupies both the West Bank and Gaza, with a ground offensive ongoing in Gaza City. Earlier this week, a UN commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians, a claim Israel rejected as “distorted and false.”

The move by Canada, the UK, and Australia creates a growing diplomatic split with the United States, which criticised France’s upcoming recognition of Palestine as “reckless.” The Israeli foreign ministry also warned that recognition rewards Hamas for the October 7 attacks.

The two-state solution, long supported by Canadian governments, envisages Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting peacefully with Israel.

Canada, Palestine, UK, Australia, Gaza crisis, two-state solution, international recognition, Mark Carney