Canadian Government Engages in Talks with Allies Over Palestinian Statehood Recognition

Ottawa has initiated discussions with its allies regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state, a government official revealed during a parliamentary committee meeting on Thursday. Alexandre Lévêque, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Europe, Middle East, and Arctic Branch, shared that Canada is consulting with like-minded countries to assess the timing and feasibility of such a recognition.

“We are having ongoing discussions, weighing considerations collectively with countries that share similar views,” Lévêque explained. However, he declined to name the countries involved, citing the confidential nature of these diplomatic exchanges.

The parliamentary committee is studying a motion, proposed by Liberal MPs in September, to consider recognizing a Palestinian state. This motion has sparked controversy, as it was initially discussed in private, with various community groups presenting opposing views on whether Canada should make such a declaration immediately.

Historically, Canadian governments have maintained that the recognition of a Palestinian state should follow a peace agreement between Israel and Palestinian authorities. However, in May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau diverged from this position, suggesting that Canada could recognize Palestine prior to a final peace agreement to encourage a two-state solution. Trudeau also criticized Israel’s stance on the issue and condemned Hamas’s control over Gaza.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) has advocated for immediate recognition, while the Conservative Party has opposed the move, citing concerns that it could reward Hamas for its attack on Israel in October 2023. Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong questioned the potential consequences of Canada recognizing Palestine without support from other allied countries, particularly the United States and the G7 nations.

Lévêque acknowledged that the issue is still a live topic in countries like France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand but refrained from speculating on the broader impact of Canada taking unilateral action.

A government legal advisor also informed the committee that there are no legal barriers to recognition, as it is ultimately a political decision. Louis-Martin Aumais, a legal adviser with the Department of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the criteria for recognizing new states are well-established in international law and that the decision to recognize a state is purely political.

Jewish community organizations, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and B'nai Brith Canada, have expressed concerns that recognizing Palestine could inadvertently empower Hamas and highlight the lack of Palestinian state institutions. On the other hand, advocacy groups like Independent Jewish Voices and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East believe that recognition would contribute to peace and end Canada's perceived complicity in the Israeli occupation.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, further intensifying the debate surrounding Palestinian statehood recognition.