National

Prime Minister Carney says Canada will recognize a Palestinian state

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Jul, 2025 04:42 PM

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

He said this move will be predicated on the Palestinian Authority carrying out reforms and holding an election next year in which Hamas can play no part.

Carney said Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution but its prospects have been "steadily and gravely eroded."

He said Canada will increase its efforts to support strong, democratic governance in Palestine and build a more peaceful and hopeful future.

The Embassy of Israel released a statement saying it rejects Canada’s endorsement of Palestinian statehood. It said recognizing a Palestinian state in the absence of an accountable government or functioning institutions "rewards and legitimizes the monstrous barbarity of Hamas" on Oct. 7, 2023.

The embassy also said it "punishes Israeli and Palestinian victims of Hamas, vindicates Hamas’ Western sympathizers fuelling antisemitism, and hardens Hamas’ position at the negotiation table at a most critical time."

Ambassador of Israel to Canada Iddo Moed said Israel "will not bow to the distorted campaign of international pressure against it."

The Conservative Party of Canada also criticized the decision. It said recognizing a Palestinian state in the aftermath of the October 7 attack "sends the wrong message to the world."

"If the government recognizes the Palestinian state now, it is impossible that Hamas will not play a central role," the statement says. "Surely, Canadians cannot support validating Hamas with the status of government."

The National Council of Canadian Muslims and community partners are set to speak on Parliament Hill and answer questions from reporters this evening.

France announced last week it will recognize a Palestinian state.

Carney spoke Tuesday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after Starmer said the U.K. would officially recognize a Palestinian state if Israel does not implement a ceasefire and drastically scale up aid in Gaza.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

BC Ferries CEO floats prospect that fares may rise 30% or more in 2028

The CEO of BC Ferries is warning the company may need to increase fares by 30 per cent or more in 2028, when the current fare structure expires. Nicolas Jimenez says in a written statement the corporation had forecast last year that such a price rise would be needed to keep up with operating and capital costs, but costs since then have spiked, including a 40 per cent jump in shipbuilding expenses.

BC Ferries CEO floats prospect that fares may rise 30% or more in 2028

Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says

The union representing Canada Post workers says the Crown corporation has been laying off striking employees as the labour action by more than 55,000 workers approaches the two-week mark. In a notice to members posted Monday, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers called the layoffs a "scare tactic" and said it's looking into the situation.

Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says

Eliminating open-net fish farms in B.C. would cost taxpayers billions: report

The proposed federal ban on open net-pen salmon farms in British Columbia coastal waters will cost taxpayers billions and seriously impact Canada's economy, food security and Indigenous communities, says a report commissioned by the BC Salmon Farmers Association.

Eliminating open-net fish farms in B.C. would cost taxpayers billions: report

Liberal GST holiday expected to pass soon as government introduces solo bill

The Liberal government introduced a stand-alone bill to implement its proposed GST holiday Wednesday, hours after the NDP threatened it would not pass the legislation if it was linked to a $250 rebate for working Canadians. The bill would give people a two-month GST exemption on items like premade food at grocery stores, children's clothes, toys, some alcoholic beverages and other holiday season staples.

Liberal GST holiday expected to pass soon as government introduces solo bill

Significant snowfall for parts of BC

Environment Canada says a "series of upper disturbances combining with cold arctic air" will result in significant snowfall to parts of B-C's northern and central Interior. It says up to 25 centimetres of snow is expected in the region by tomorrow afternoon.

Significant snowfall for parts of BC

BC Place to be fenced off for Taylor Swift shows, with zone limited to ticket holders

Vancouver officials say areas around BC Place stadium will be strictly limited to ticket holders for Taylor Swift's three Eras Tour shows that begin next week, as they announce preparations for what they say will be one of the biggest event weekends in the city's history. Police, city, stadium and transport officials say 160,000 fans have tickets for the shows on Dec. 6, 7 and 8, and up to 40 per cent are international travellers.