Canada to Recognize Palestinian State at UN General Assembly

Major policy shift follows announcements by France and the UK to do the same

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OTTAWA - Canada plans to back statehood for Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, a major policy shift that drew an angry response from US President Donald Trump and was rejected by Israel.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move was necessary to preserve hopes of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a longstanding Canadian goal that was "being eroded before our eyes".

"Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025," he said on July 30.

This makes Canada - a Group of Seven nation - the third country, following recent announcements by France and the United Kingdom, to signal plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September.

Mr. Carney said the worsening suffering of civilians in Gaza left "no room for delay in coordinated international action to support peace".

Israel blasted Canada's announcement as part of a "distorted campaign of international pressure", while Mr. Trump warned that trade negotiations with Ottawa may not proceed smoothly.