Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney said July 30.
Carney told reporters that the planned move was predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms. That includes fundamentally changing its governance and holding general elections in 2026 in which Hamas − the terrorist group in charge of Gaza − can play no part.
He added that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who governs in the West Bank, "committed to not militarizing the state of Palestine."
The Canadian leader's comments came during a conference in New York on reaching a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians in occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank. It also follows the 22-member Arab League calling on Hamas to disarm and hand power in Gaza to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.
“Canada will always steadfastly support Israel’s existence as an independent state in the Middle East, living in peace and security,” Carney said, according to CNN. “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.”