Joining UK & France, Canada announces it intends to recognize a Palestinian state in September

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday that Canada intends to recognize a Palestinian state, aligning with a growing international movement critical of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza.

“Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025," Carney said in a statement to reporters alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. 

Carney linked the decision to the situation in Gaza, saying, “The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable.” 

The announcement came one day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom would recognize a Palestinian state in September if Israel did not take “substantive steps,” including agreeing to a ceasefire. 

The move also comes after France attempted to persuade a large body of countries to recognize a Palestinian state during the UN Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution in New York on Tuesday. 

Last week, France announced its intention to recognize a Palestinian state in September, saying the move is “consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.” 

Carney said the recognition “is predicated on the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to much needed reforms, including commitments by the Palestinian Authority’s President [Mahmoud] 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.”  

“Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution, an independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security,” Carney stated. 

Hours after the Canadian leader made the announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a response on his Truth Social platform.

“Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh, Canada!!!” Trump wrote. 

Canada and the United States are working to finalize a trade deal by an August 1 deadline, as former President Trump threatens to impose a 35% tariff if no agreement is reached.

The three G7 nations that have announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state in September – the UK, France and Canada – all insist that their move is not a reward for Hamas.

“This is not a reward for Hamas. Hamas is a vile terrorist organization that has committed appalling atrocities. This is about the Palestinian people. It's about those children that we see in Gaza who are starving to death," British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander told LBC radio.

Carney also indicated that the decision was driven by concerns among the countries that “the prospect of a Palestinian state is eroding before our eyes.” 

Meanwhile, in contrast to the assurances that such a move is not a reward for Hamas, an official from the terrorist group recently posted a message on social media calling the wave of announcements “victory and liberation.” 

Hamas official Bassem Naim called the wave of support “a true global revolution in support of the Palestinian right to freedom and self-determination.” 

The Israeli government maintains that any recognition of a Palestinian state before the end of the Gaza War and the release of the hostages is a move that will only embolden Hamas. 

In response to Starmer's announcement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said, “The shift in the British government’s position at this time, following the French move and internal political pressures, constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of hostages.”