Canada announces it will recognize Palestine as a state at UN General Assembly in September

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday announced his country will formally recognize Palestine as a free state in September at the United Nation's General Assembly.

The move mirrors actions announced by France and the United Kingdom last week, which will also recognize Palestine as a state at the General Assembly in New York. The U.S. and Israel have condemned the recent actions.

Canada has long supported recognizing Palestine as its own state next to Israel, but previously pushed for the recognition to come as part of a two-state solution that ends the war in Gaza, which Carney indicated seems less likely now.

"The deepening suffering of civilians leaves no room for delay in coordinated international action to support peace, security, and the dignity of all human life," Carney said in a statement. "Preserving a two-state solution means standing with all people who choose peace over violence or terrorism, and honouring their innate desire for the peaceful co-existence of Israeli and Palestinian states as the only roadmap for a secure and prosperous future. 

"For these reasons, Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025," he continued. "This intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to much-needed reforms, including the commitments by Palestinian Authority President Abbas to fundamentally reform its governance, to hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state."

Carney said Hamas must also release all remaining hostages from its Oct. 7 attack on Israel in 2023. 

"Canada will always steadfastly support Israel’s existence as an independent state in the Middle East living in peace and security," Carney said. "Any path to lasting peace for Israel also requires a viable and stable Palestinian state, and one that recognizes Israel’s inalienable right to security and peace."

Palestine has been recognized as a state by 147 countries, but Canada, France and the United Kingdom will be the first members of the Group of Seven to do so. Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States are the other four members.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.