Canadian government speaking with allies about Palestinian statehood recognition, official tells MPs
Ottawa is currently in discussions with like-minded countries regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state, a senior government official revealed during a parliamentary committee meeting on Thursday. Alexandre Lévêque, the assistant deputy minister for Europe, the Middle East, and Arctic Branch, stated that these countries are engaged in conversations and deliberations on the matter, but refrained from disclosing specific nations due to the confidential nature of diplomatic talks.
The motion under consideration by the committee, initially proposed by Liberal MPs in September, has sparked controversy. Traditionally, Canadian governments have maintained the stance that recognition of a Palestinian state should only occur following a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and Palestinian authorities. However, the Liberal government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, departed from this long-standing approach last May. Trudeau suggested that Canada could potentially recognize Palestine prior to the conclusion of peace negotiations to promote a two-state solution. This shift in policy was preceded by Canada’s abstention from a Palestinian statehood vote at the United Nations, a departure from the country’s historical foreign policy.
While the New Democratic Party (NDP) advocates for immediate recognition, the Conservative Party has expressed concerns that altering the policy could inadvertently reward Hamas for its actions. Michael Chong, the Tory foreign affairs critic, highlighted the fact that neither the United States nor other G7 members have recognized Palestine yet, questioning the potential repercussions of Canada’s unilateral recognition.
According to Lévêque, countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand are actively discussing the issue, indicating a growing interest in the international community. However, he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the matter, particularly in light of the impending transition in the U.S. administration following the re-election of President Donald Trump.
During the committee meeting, a government lawyer emphasized that there are no legal barriers preventing the recognition of a Palestinian state, emphasizing that such a decision would be purely political. Louis-Martin Aumais, a legal adviser to the Department of Foreign Affairs, underscored that the recognition of new states is fundamentally a political act undertaken by individual nations based on established criteria and customary international law.
Various advocacy groups, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and B’nai Brith Canada, have cautioned against Canadian recognition, citing concerns about Hamas and the absence of Palestinian state institutions. Conversely, organizations like Independent Jewish Voices, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, and the Coalition of Canadian Palestinian Organizations have argued that Canadian recognition could contribute to resolving the conflict and address perceived complicity in the Israeli occupation.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 Palestinians according to the Gaza Health Ministry, underscores the urgency and complexity of the situation. As Canada navigates the delicate balance between diplomatic considerations and humanitarian concerns, the decision to recognize a Palestinian state remains a contentious and evolving issue on the international stage.
