Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday that Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September—provided the Palestinian Authority meets specific conditions related to democratic reform and governance.
Carney told reporters that Canada’s recognition will depend on the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to substantial reforms and to holding general elections in 2026 that exclude participation by Hamas, the militant group that currently governs the Gaza Strip and is designated as a terrorist organization by Canada.
“I spoke with President Mahmoud Abbas and reiterated our support for a two-state solution—but that must include a reformed and representative Palestinian government,” Carney said.
In sharp remarks, the Canadian leader also condemned Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza. “I condemn the fact that Israel has allowed a catastrophe to unfold in Gaza,” he said.
Canada’s announcement follows a similar declaration by the United Kingdom, whose Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Tuesday that Britain would formally recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets specific conditions tied to a ceasefire and humanitarian access.
Starmer’s statement came after an emergency cabinet meeting on Gaza and a bilateral discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump. The move has stirred legal debate in the UK, where The Times reported that 38 members of the House of Lords—including senior legal authorities—warned the decision could violate international law. They argued that Palestine might not fulfill the requirements for statehood as outlined by the Montevideo Convention, a 1933 treaty establishing the criteria for sovereign states.
France has also entered the fray. Less than a week ago, President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would become the first G7 nation to recognize a Palestinian state in September.
Meanwhile, a Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that Starmer and Carney held a phone call on Tuesday. The two leaders discussed the deteriorating Middle East situation and recent U.S. action targeting Iran’s nuclear program.
“They reiterated their shared commitment to a diplomatic solution and emphasized the urgency for Iran to return to the negotiating table,” the spokesperson said. The leaders plan to continue their discussions during the NATO summit later this week.
As momentum builds among Western powers to formally recognize Palestinian statehood, Canada’s conditional approach reflects a growing international push to reshape the diplomatic landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
news.sky.com
