Jewish and Muslim advocacy groups are at odds over Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pledge to vote in favour of recognizing a Palestinian state for the first time in Canadian history. The vote is scheduled for the next UN General Assembly meeting in September.
With the UK and France signalling they will work toward recognizing a conditional Palestinian state, Carney pledged to work toward a “two-state solution” for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Carney told reporters Wednesday that he wanted to see from the Palestinian Authority a commitment to “much-needed reforms,” including the exclusion of Hamas from any governing role, ending the “payment system for prisoners,” and committing to a “demilitarized Palestinian state.”
In a statement, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said the plan to pre-emptively recognize a Palestinian state is predicated on “misplaced faith in vague commitments by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.”
Abbas is notorious for holding onto the presidency for 20 years after a four-year term, for corruption, holocaust denialism and providing funding to families of terrorists.
“Extending recognition absent real change on the ground is a recipe for another failed Palestinian pseudo-state controlled by terrorists,” Noah Shack, the CEO of CIJA said. “It is deeply concerning that the government did not make statehood recognition contingent on the removal of Hamas from Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages. This only emboldens Hamas and condemns Palestinians and Israelis—including the hostages and their families—to more suffering.”
Last week, Shack recommended applying “sustained pressure” on Hamas after Carney stated Hamas should have no role in governing the Palestinian state.
In Wednesday’s statement, Shack claimed Carney’s pledge to pre-emptively recognize the Palestinian state before Hamas was ousted would undermine Carney’s stated intentions.
“Our community seeks an end to this painful conflict and a better future where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist in peace,” Shack said. “As the Prime Minister previously said, this requires a Palestinian state to be Zionist—affirming the right of a democratic, Jewish state to exist in safety.”
B’nai Brith Canada, a Jewish advocacy group, similarly expressed concerns about Carney’s plan to recognize a Palestinian State in September.
“This decision is dangerously premature,” Richard Robertson, B’nai Brith Canada’s Director of Research and Advocacy said in a statement released on X. “As the Government’s intent to recognize a Palestinian state is predicated on the PA’’s commitment to democratic reform and demilitarization, B’nai Brith Canada questions whether the PA can be trusted as a legitimate state actor and partner in the peace process.”
B’nai Brith Canada applauded Carney’s decision to exclude Hamas from a Palestinian state, but noted the Palestinian Authority has historically “offered a multitude of rhetorical concessions” without following through.
The Jewish advocacy group said the “premature” recognition of a Palestinian state could undermine efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region. B’nai Brith urged the Liberal government to “reconsider the viability” of recognizing a Palestinian state under current criteria.
“Such a decision could also be leveraged by anti-Israel extremists as an endorsement of their vitriolic actions that have been fomenting hate across Canada,” Robertson said.
However, Muslim activists at the National Council of Canadian Muslims welcomed Carney’s commitment to vote for a Palestinian state, joining Spain, Norway, Ukraine, France and other nations.
“This is an extremely important step for Canada to take,” NCCM CEO Stephen Brown said in an email to supporters. “As Gaza and Palestine continue to suffer mass killing, ethnic cleansing, and a manmade humanitarian apocalypse by the IDF, Canada had to stand with international law and human rights. We are glad that Canada has stood by its values.”
Claims that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza remain unproven in court and are largely disputed by supporters of the Jewish state.
“Recognizing Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination is necessary for any idea of two states living side by side to hold credibility,” the NCCM said in its statement. “Canada must apply further sanctions on the Netanyahu government, impose a full two-way arms embargo on the IDF, review the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement, and provide better assistance to those escaping Gaza to reunite with loved ones here in Canada.”