Canada intends to recognise Palestinian state

3 months ago 21

Australia is increasingly isolated among its close allies after Canada announced it would recognise the state of Palestine at an upcoming meeting of the United Nations.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said long-held hopes of a two-state solution through a negotiated settlement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority were no longer tenable.

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with media in Ottawa, Ontario, on Wednesday.

Canada’s decision was predicated on the Palestinian Authority committing to “much needed reform”, Carney said, including holding general elections in 2026 in which Hamas could play no part.

It was also predicated on a demilitarised Palestinian state, Carney said.

“The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delay in the co-ordinated action of the international community.”

Israel rejected the statement by Canada’s prime minister, saying it represented a reward to militant faction Hamas.

“The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages,” the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement early on Thursday.

The Commonwealth nation joins France in planning to recognise Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, while the United Kingdom says it will also recognise Palestine unless Israel commits to an immediate ceasefire and takes urgent steps to end the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

But Australia has so far rejected that step, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying that while he supports a two state solution, he did not want to “win a political point”.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong would respond to Canada’s decision in “due course”.

Chalmers reiterated his view that Australian recognition of Palestine was a matter of “when, not if”, and welcomed international momentum on the matter.

“The prime minister and foreign minister will respond in due course formally, but in my personal view, I welcome momentum and progress made in the international community,” Chalmers told Sky News.

“From an Australian point of view, recognition of Palestine is a matter of when not if, so in that light, progress we’re seeing is welcome but also conditional.”