CBC: Canada considers recognising Palestinian statehood As UK, France lead G7 momentum

The Canadian government is considering whether to formally recognise a Palestinian state, following recent moves by the United Kingdom and France, according to a senior government source.

No final decision has been made, but Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to hold a virtual cabinet meeting on July 30, to discuss the escalating Middle East crisis, Caliber.Az reports per    CBC.

The deliberations in Ottawa come after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza, allows the United Nations to deliver humanitarian aid, and takes further steps towards a two-state solution. 

“Statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people,” Starmer said, adding that his government would assess “how far the parties have met these steps” before proceeding.

France has already declared its intent to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. French President Emmanuel Macron said there was “no alternative” to recognition, positioning France as the first G7 country to take the step.

When asked last week whether Canada would follow suit, Carney reiterated Canada’s longstanding position. “Canada will continue to support a two-state solution with a free and viable Palestine living in peace and side-by-side in peace and security with Israel,” he said.

In recent days, Ottawa committed $10 million to support the Palestinian Authority’s statehood readiness and allocated an additional $30 million in humanitarian aid for civilians in the Gaza Strip.

However, recognition efforts have drawn criticism from Israel and the United States. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, said, “You’re rewarding Hamas if you do that. I don’t think they should be rewarded.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the UK’s approach “a reward for Hamas” and warned it could hinder efforts to secure a ceasefire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected a two-state solution, stating, “A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel — not to live in peace beside it.”

Starmer, under growing domestic pressure as Gaza's humanitarian situation worsens, stressed that any recognition would depend on clear Israeli steps.

“Unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace… we will proceed,” he said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev