On Canada’s Landmark Recognition of a Palestinian State
September 21, 2025
Justice For All Canada welcomes Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine. The Prime Minister’s statement today also directly acknowledged Israel’s violations of international law, including its settlement expansions, military assault in Gaza which has killed tens of thousands of civilians, forcible displacement of over 1 million Palestinians, and its imposed famine.
Today’s recognition is a crucial step that follows years of tireless advocacy by civil society and Palestinian voices demanding recognition of their rights under international law. We are disappointed that it took decades of persecution, including a two-year genocide and forced starvation in Gaza, for Canada to recognize the State of Palestine.
Palestine’s statehood was already recognized by most of the world in the late 1980s. The UN General Assembly affirmed Palestine’s right to self-determination in Resolution 67/19 (2012). Various NGOs and experts, as well as a conclusion from the International Court of Justice in 2024, have confirmed that Palestinians live under conditions of imposed apartheid and racial segregation.
Canada’s recognition today is overdue, but it is nonetheless a concrete step. Yet it comes with conditions on Palestinian governance that risk undermining the very principle of self-determination as it relates to statehood. The government’s recognition, therefore, must now be matched with action. Canada should:
Today’s announcement from the Canadian government marks a rare turning point in Canada’s official discourse on the human rights of Palestinians. However, for Palestinians, recognition means little without freedom of movement, full economic rights and an end to the genocide and apartheid. Justice For All Canada maintains that Canada’s voice must not stop here. Concrete measures of accountability and justice become paramount.
Justice For All Canada welcomes Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine. The Prime Minister’s statement today also directly acknowledged Israel’s violations of international law, including its settlement expansions, military assault in Gaza which has killed tens of thousands of civilians, forcible displacement of over 1 million Palestinians, and its imposed famine.
Today’s recognition is a crucial step that follows years of tireless advocacy by civil society and Palestinian voices demanding recognition of their rights under international law. We are disappointed that it took decades of persecution, including a two-year genocide and forced starvation in Gaza, for Canada to recognize the State of Palestine.
Palestine’s statehood was already recognized by most of the world in the late 1980s. The UN General Assembly affirmed Palestine’s right to self-determination in Resolution 67/19 (2012). Various NGOs and experts, as well as a conclusion from the International Court of Justice in 2024, have confirmed that Palestinians live under conditions of imposed apartheid and racial segregation.
Canada’s recognition today is overdue, but it is nonetheless a concrete step. Yet it comes with conditions on Palestinian governance that risk undermining the very principle of self-determination as it relates to statehood. The government’s recognition, therefore, must now be matched with action. Canada should:
- Name Israel’s crimes for what they are: genocide, in line with a UN Commission recently confirming that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and countless international legal scholars.
- Impose a comprehensive, 2-way arms embargo, in line with Canada’s obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty, Export and Import Permits Act and the Genocide Convention.
- Suspend its free trade agreement with Israel and upgrade its representative office in Ramallah to a full Embassy. The same should be done for Palestine’s representative office in Ottawa.
- Express support for ongoing proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), ensuring accountability is pursued without exception.
- Contribute to rebuilding Gaza and commit resources to restoring health, housing and infrastructure destroyed by bombardment
Today’s announcement from the Canadian government marks a rare turning point in Canada’s official discourse on the human rights of Palestinians. However, for Palestinians, recognition means little without freedom of movement, full economic rights and an end to the genocide and apartheid. Justice For All Canada maintains that Canada’s voice must not stop here. Concrete measures of accountability and justice become paramount.