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Canada has announced its intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.
The move was revealed by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, aligning the North American nation with a growing group of Western countries—including France and the United Kingdom—who have recently expressed support for Palestinian statehood.
Canada’s decision follows diplomatic assurances from the Palestinian Authority, headquartered in Ramallah, that it will conduct internationally recognized elections in 2026. Notably, these elections would exclude participation from Hamas, the Gaza Strip-based militant group classified as a terrorist organization by several countries including Canada.
“We are taking this step in pursuit of long-term peace, based on diplomacy, dialogue, and democratic values,” said Prime Minister Carney. “Recognizing Palestine is not a provocation—it is a message of commitment to a peaceful resolution.”
The two-state solution, which envisions an independent Israeli and Palestinian state existing side by side, has long been supported by the United Nations, though recent years have seen stalled negotiations and mounting violence.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the news, calling Canada’s decision “a historic moment in our struggle for justice and sovereignty.” He also urged other Western countries to follow Canada’s example and recognize the rights of Palestinians to self-determination.
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“This is not just a diplomatic gesture,” Abbas stated. “It is a powerful affirmation of the international community’s support for peace.”
However, the decision has drawn strong criticism from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which condemned the move as premature and counterproductive. Israeli officials argued that unilateral recognition could embolden extremists and derail any chance of a negotiated peace agreement.
Despite opposition, international recognition of Palestinian statehood continues to expand. As of 2024, more than 138 of the 193 UN member states recognize Palestine. Canada’s decision would mark a major shift among North American allies and could pressure other hesitant states such as Germany and Australia to reexamine their positions.
Experts in Middle East diplomacy suggest that this development could serve as a catalyst to reopen frozen peace talks or potentially reshape geopolitical alliances in the region. “Recognition alone won’t solve the conflict,” said one analyst from Carleton University, “but it does reset the diplomatic conversation.”
