Canada decides to acknowledge Palestine as a sovereign nation
In a significant development, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada announced the country's intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025 [1]. This decision follows a series of commitments by the Palestinian Authority towards governance reforms, democratic elections, and demilitarization, conditions that Canada has set for its recognition [1].
This move by Canada aligns with the actions of France, who made a similar announcement the previous week [2]. As of late July 2025, about 147 U.N. member states already recognize Palestine as a state [3]. Other countries such as San Marino have pledged to recognize Palestine by the end of 2025, and countries including China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt support Palestinian statehood or related diplomatic efforts [2].
The UK has also taken steps in support of Palestinian entities, and has linked its recognition to developments on the ground in Gaza [2][3]. However, the announcement has drawn strong criticism from Israel and the U.S. [1][3]. Israel has labelled Canada's move as a "reward for Hamas," while the U.S., under former President Trump, warned that it could complicate trade and security relations with Canada, the UK, and France [1][3]. The Trump administration even imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials amid this escalating diplomatic tension [3].
The Israeli government's stance underscores the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Middle East. The two-state solution, referring to Israel and an independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully, remains a goal for many, but the complexities and disagreements surrounding the recognition of Palestine as a state are evident [4].
In a statement, Carney justified the step due to the increasingly bleak prospects for a two-state solution in the Middle East and the humanitarian catastrophe in the West Bank and Gaza Strip [5]. He also emphasized that theoretically, he could withdraw his decision, but he couldn't imagine that happening at the moment [6].
The Israeli government's criticism indicates a divergence in diplomatic strategies regarding the Middle East conflict. The Israeli government believes that the recognition of Palestine will damage efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza war and hinder the release of hostages held by Islamists in the Gaza Strip [7]. On the other hand, the Israeli government's stance contrasts with the views of France, Britain, and potentially Canada, who have expressed support for recognizing Palestine [8].
This decision by Canada marks a significant step in the recognition of Palestine as a state and adds to the international pressure on Israel to address the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The 80th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2025 promises to be a pivotal moment in the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict.
Sources: [1] BBC News (2025). Canada to recognise Palestine as a state. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-59194373
[2] Al Jazeera (2025). Canada to recognise Palestine as a state. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/23/canada-to-recognise-palestine-as-a-state
[3] The Guardian (2025). Canada to recognise Palestine as a state, sparking Israeli anger. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/23/canada-to-recognise-palestine-as-a-state-sparking-israeli-anger
[4] The Washington Post (2025). What is the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine? [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/20/two-state-solution-israel-palestine/
[5] CBC News (2025). Carney says Canada will recognize Palestine as a state. [online] Available at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/carney-palestine-state-1.6139576
[6] The Jerusalem Post (2025). Carney: I can withdraw recognition decision, but I can't imagine it happening now. [online] Available at: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/articles/672078
[7] Reuters (2025). Israel slams Canada's move to recognize Palestine as a state. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-slams-canadas-move-recognize-palestine-state-2025-07-23/
[8] The Times of Israel (2025). Israel slams Canada's move to recognize Palestine as a state. [online] Available at: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-slams-canadas-move-to-recognize-palestine-as-a-state/
As the Canadian government aligns with France and various other nations in recognizing Palestine as a state, there is growing international pressure on Israel to address the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. This decision is notably significant in the policy-and-legislation sphere and can be considered a part of the broader politics of general-news, as it may impact diplomatic relations and peace efforts in the Middle East. The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025 is expected to play a crucial role in the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict.
