Mark Carney. Photo: AFP / Andrej Ivanov
Canada intends to recognise the state of Palestine, Prime Minister Mark Carney says.
It will do so at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, he said.
The prime minister said Canada's intention was predicated on reforms including commitments by the Palestinian Authority to reform its governance, to hold general elections in 2026 without Hamas and demilitarise the Palestinian State.
He said his country condemned the fact the Israeli government had allowed a catastrophe to unfold in Gaza.
Carney's announcement came after he spoke to the Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas.
Carney said Abbas assured him his administration would hold long-delayed elections in 2026 in which Hamas will "play no part", CNN reported. "(Abbas) has also committed to not militarising the state of Palestine," Carney added.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer this week also announced an intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September unless Israel agreed to key conditions, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Starmer was rewarding Hamas's monstrous terrorism and punishing its victims.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon this week said he would speak to his British counterpart about the UKs new stance on, but said New Zealand would not be following its lead "at this stage".
Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state during the UN meeting in September.
Reuters/CNN/RNZ
