The Canadian government is contemplating the recognition of Palestinian statehood and considering if any conditions would be attached to such recognition, as per an official source. While no definite decision has been reached yet, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to convene a virtual cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the Middle East situation.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that the U.K. is planning to acknowledge a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza, allows the UN to provide aid, and takes other measures towards long-lasting peace. Carney and Starmer discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the U.K.’s stance on recognizing a Palestinian state.
France revealed a similar intention last week without any conditions. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that there is no alternative to recognizing the state of Palestine and aims to do so at the UN General Assembly in September.
In response to queries about following France’s lead, Carney affirmed that Canada will maintain its support for a two-state solution, advocating for a free and viable Palestine coexisting peacefully and securely with Israel. Ottawa recently announced $10 million in funding for the Palestinian Authority’s readiness to govern a globally recognized nation encompassing Gaza and the West Bank, along with an additional $30 million for humanitarian aid to distressed Palestinians in Gaza.
Starmer faced domestic pressure on the issue as images of hunger in Gaza stirred public outcry in the U.K. He convened a special cabinet meeting to address the Gaza situation following talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump expressed his views that recognizing a Palestinian state would be rewarding Hamas, a Palestinian militant group.
Starmer reiterated British demands for Hamas to release hostages, agree to a ceasefire, disarm, and renounce involvement in Gaza’s governance. A final decision on recognition will be made in September after assessing the parties’ compliance with these steps. Despite the conditions, Britain believes that Palestinian statehood is an inherent right.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the British move, asserting that it rewards Hamas and hampers efforts for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release framework. Netanyahu opposes the two-state solution for nationalistic and security reasons, emphasizing that a Palestinian state under current circumstances would threaten Israel’s existence.
France is poised to become the first G7 nation to recognize a Palestinian state, joining over 140 countries globally, including several European states, in doing so. While symbolic, British recognition could heighten diplomatic pressure for conflict resolution, given the apparent alignment with Trump. Pressure mounts on Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza and concerns about hostages’ wellbeing.
Netanyahu criticized Macron’s decision, warning that a Palestinian state could pose a security threat to Israel rather than fostering peaceful coexistence, as Palestinians seek a state instead of Israel, not alongside it.