Description: Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has announced his country’s plans on recognizing the Palestinian statehood and joining France and the UK in the international initiative on pressuring Israel to stop the war in Gaza and the illegal settlement activities in the West Bank. Carney also stated that Hamas should immediately disarm and disband and renounce all ambitions on having an active role in Palestine’s future government. The move was negatively received by Israel and the US, with President Trump stating that Canada’s recognition of Palestine would significantly impact the ongoing trade negotiations. The announcement was positively received among members of Canada’s National Council of Canadian Muslims which stated that Carney should further take practical steps in pressuring Israel such as initiating a review of the bilateral free trade agreement and cessation of weapons supply to Israel. The US, as a response to the international initiative, has reportedly sanctioned members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and members of the Palestinian Authority targeting them with travel and economic sanctions.
Impact: Canada’s recognition of Palestine further solidifies the international political initiative in preserving the two – state solution and increases pressure on Israel to stop the war in Gaza and its illegal settlement activities in the West Bank. The move also aggravates trade tensions with the US which is threatening with 35% tariffs on Canadian exports to the US. Canada effectively exchanged favorable trade conditions with the US for raising its profile in international affairs and remaining relevant on the global stage. Similar to UK’s and France’s recognition, the move currently has no practical basis as no concrete steps have been taken to efficiently pressure Israel in improving the disastrous humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the civilian persecution from Israel’s armed forces. The initiative faces serious obstacles in its implementation such as legitimizing Palestinian political entities, Hamas’ disarmament and disbandment and substantial backlash from the US and Israel. UN’s General Assembly in Sep would be crucial for estimating the effects from the political initiative as concrete measures are expected to be introduced towards incorporating the two – state solution.