©️The Duty
Washington, 31 July 2025.- After France and the United Kingdom, Canada in turn announced its intention to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025 in New York. A qualified decision« historical » by the Palestinian Authority, but strongly condemned by Israel, which sees it as a political move to strengthen Hamas.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney officially announced, Wednesday, July 30, in Ottawa, that his country plans to unilaterally recognize the State of Palestine in September 2025 at the next UN General Assembly. « Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly »he said at a press conference.
To date, Canada has supported a two-State solution, but only through a bilateral agreement negotiated with Israel. This shift marks a major inflection of Canadian diplomacy. Carney justified this position by the dramatic deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which he considered « intolerable ». According to him, this recognition is a step « necessary to preserve hope » a lasting peace in the Middle East.
This announcement comes in a context where several Western powers, including France and the United Kingdom, have recently shown similar intentions. A dynamic welcomed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who described the Canadian decision as « brave » and likely to « strengthening peace, stability and security in the region ».
On the other hand, Israel quickly reacted by denouncing an initiative « Dangerous ». In a virulent statement, the Israeli embassy in Ottawa accuses Canada of participating in a « deformed international pressure campaign » and considers that such recognition, « in the absence of credible Palestinian leadership », would only do « legitimizing Hamas' barbarism ».
On the European side, France congratulated Canada on this position. The Elysée greeted « a decision aligned with the spirit of peace » and assured to work closely with Ottawa to expand this diplomatic initiative to other nations at the next UN summit.
The September General Assembly is thus announcing itself as a key diplomatic moment for the Palestinian cause on the international stage, in a climate always tense between hopes of recognition and fears of escalation.
W.A.
