Canada’s Recognition of Palestinian Statehood Must be Unconditional
International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) – Canada (August 1, 2025)
Prime Minister Carney’s announcement that Canada intends to conditionally recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly is a myriad of contradictions. Conditional recognition is incompatible with the rights of the Palestinian people and their pursuit for social, economic, and political justice.
Canada claims it supports democratic governance in Palestine but insists on limiting who Palestinians can elect as their representatives. Canada says it desires peace and security but insists on Palestine being a demilitarized state even as it struggles against genocide and annexation. Canada says that the human dignity of Palestinians must be respected, yet it simultaneously exports arms to, and engages in military cooperation with, Israel. The totality of these contradictions exemplifies how Canada disempowers Palestinians by sabotaging their struggle for autonomy.
Canada’s paternalistic conditional recognition of a Palestinian state is textbook anti-Palestinian racism. The right of a people to self-determination is a cornerstone of international law. Canada’s recognition of Palestinian statehood must be unconditional, and it must take all reasonable measures within its power to prevent Israel from carrying out its genocidal campaign Gaza.
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ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
- Featured image credited to Policy Exchange
- For more information, to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact the ICJP news desk at press@icjpalestine.com.