OTTAWA, Sept 22, 2025 – Canada has officially recognized the State of Palestine, a historic move announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney on September 21, 2025, as part of a coordinated effort with allies to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution. The announcement, detailed on the Prime Minister’s official website, underscores Canada’s commitment to peace in the Middle East amid ongoing conflict.
In a statement, Carney emphasized that the recognition, effective immediately, aims to empower the Palestinian Authority (PA) in its pursuit of peaceful coexistence with Israel, while explicitly rejecting any legitimization of terrorism.
The decision follows months of deteriorating conditions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, with Carney citing the expansion of Israeli settlements, the humanitarian crisis, and the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks—where 1,200 were killed and 251 taken hostage—as key factors driving Canada’s policy shift. “The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable and rapidly deteriorating,” Carney said, calling for a ceasefire and hostage release.
Israel’s government has strongly opposed the move, with its Foreign Ministry arguing that it undermines ceasefire efforts and hostage negotiations. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials welcomed the recognition as a step toward justice, though the decision remains largely symbolic given the lack of internationally agreed boundaries or full PA control.
Canada joins over 140 UN member states in recognizing Palestine, marking a break from its traditional stance and adding diplomatic pressure on Israel, which rejects a two-state solution on security grounds. The move aligns with recent recognitions by the UK, Australia, and Portugal, signaling a growing international push for resolution.