Overview

• Ottawa will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September 2025 after France and the UK made similar announcements.
• Recognition hinges on the Palestinian Authority carrying out governance reforms, holding 2026 elections that exclude Hamas, and demilitarizing its future state.
• Israel’s foreign ministry condemned Canada’s plan as rewarding Hamas and warned it undermines ceasefire efforts and hostage release negotiations.
• President Trump cautioned that backing Palestinian statehood would make it “very hard” for the US to finalize a trade deal with Canada.
• The move reflects a coordinated Western response to stalled peace talks, expanding West Bank settlements, and soaring civilian suffering in Gaza.