Ramallah/Ottawa — Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Canada’s decision to officially recognise Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly meeting this September as “historic”, saying it will help advance peace, stability and security across the region. Daily Sabah; Times of Israel.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made history on July 31st by declaring Canada’s intention to recognize Palestinian statehood at the 80th UN General Assembly meeting on August 4th 2025, contingent upon certain reforms by the Palestinian Authority such as demilitarisation and holding democratic elections without participation by Hamas in 2026 (Prothomalo +11 The Guardian+11 The Australian +11). This historic diplomatic milestone represents a historic diplomatic milestone.
Abbas “appreciated Canada’s historic role in recognising Palestine”, and underscored how this decision could contribute to regional peace efforts (Wikipedia +15 and Daily Sabah +15 respectively).
Carney explained his decision as necessary to save the two-state solution amid worsening humanitarian crises in Gaza and increased Israeli settlement activity, especially in West Bank and East Jerusalem, The Times of Israel +7
Financial Times +7 WASHINGTON D.C..
Canada joined Britain and France among G7 nations announcing plans to recognise Palestinian sovereignty, signalling growing international support for Palestinian self-determination while increasing pressure on Israel due to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis (Sources: New York Post, Guardian and Financial Times).
Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned Canada’s move while applauding it, arguing recognition without accountable governance and security guarantees “rewards and legitimizes Hamas’ monstrous barbarism,” undermining ceasefire efforts, according to Daily Sabah (Le Monde.fr + The Times of Israel).
Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed warned against recognition as it would compromise Israel’s existence and amount to legitimizing terrorism, and warned Canada not to be misled into thinking the Palestinian Authority can implement reforms (Le Monde.fr/The Times of Israel). Additionally, recognition requires preconditions.
Canada has made it clear that state recognition of the Palestinian Authority is contingent upon it implementing reforms, including:
Hold democratic general elections without Hamas participation in 2026.
Demilitarisation of the future Palestinian state
Release of all Hostages From October 7, 2023 Hamas Attack
Daily Sabah
Times Of Israel Guardian Of London Le Monde.fr + JNS.org.
The objective is to establish a “viable, democratic and stable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security” The Guardian +8 The Times of Israel +8 Daily Sabah.
Carney noted the urgent humanitarian situation and two-state imperative in Gaza as the impetus behind his call for diplomatic recognition rather than waiting on negotiations, according to Le Monde and Financial Times sources and Al Jazeera sources.
Abbas expressed support for Canada’s initiative as it fits within efforts to end the conflict through peaceful means and institution building under internationally recognized frameworks (JNS.org/Daily Sabah and The Times of Israel, July 19, 2009).
What Lies Ahead
Canada will formally recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly meeting this September alongside fellow G7 nations such as France and UK, who are working together on diplomatic efforts aimed at renewed peace talks and Palestinian statehood (AP News +7; Financial Times +7; The Times). Political leaders including France and UK are working in concert towards reinforcing diplomatic initiatives that push towards renewed talks for peace talks and Palestinian statehood (FT +7)
Implementation of recognition will depend on Palestinian leadership and international stakeholders working in harmony, according to observers. Achieve success depends on PA credibility as it promises reforms under pressure.
Why It Matters
Diplomatically, Canada has taken a sharp departure from U.S. policy, joining European allies in shifting the ground debate towards formal recognition of Palestinian sovereignty.
Strategically, Abbas’ positive response demonstrates Palestinian willingness to engage in reform despite international pressure acting as leverage.
Symbolically, this recognition signals an increasing sense of impatience among Western nations with the status quo, while reinforcing global urgency regarding Gaza’s humanitarian collapse.
Canada’s historic move sets a new path forward in Israel-Palestine dialogue and strengthens international momentum for an incremental path to statehood based on conditional governance and concrete reforms.