Cautious optimism, pointed criticism over Canada's decision to recognize Palestinian statehood
People in Gaza welcomed the news from Canada Thursday as officials in Israel condemned it
Canada's decision to join the United Kingdom, France and other allies in recognizing Palestine's statehood was met with cautious optimism in Gaza Thursday, while reaction in Israel was critical — saying it would embolden Hamas and reward terrorism.
The announcement from Prime Minister Mark Carney that Canada will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September represents a shift in Canadian foreign policy, which has for decades supported a two-state solution. Carney said the move was conditional on the Palestinian Authority undertaking serious reforms and holding an election next year.
While his decision was condemned by many Israelis, it was welcomed in Gaza, albeit with a dose of reality.
"Honestly it's good that Canada recognized us, but it comes a little late," Nasr Sadr told CBC News freelance videographer Mohamed El Saife. "After the destruction of Gaza and the destruction of the Palestinian people and the genocide on Gaza, anything is better than nothing."
But the 57-year-old added that he isn't sure the symbolic gesture will make much of a difference, especially when it comes to Carney's condition that Gaza hold a free and fair election next year.
"If the [Palestinian Authority] is sure that they will win by 80 or 90 per cent, then they will hold elections," he said. "Otherwise they won't hold elections."
Ahmed Halas, 51, said he hopes Canada's move will help spur momentum — encourage other countries to follow suit and to also increase aid to help rebuild Gaza's hospitals and schools.
"We need people to help us, and work for us," he said. "And people to change the bitter reality that we are living in."
He also rejected any idea of Palestinians being displaced as a condition of ending the war.
"We hope Israel can let Palestinians live on their land, in peace and with freedom and dignity, in Gaza or the West Bank," Halas said. "And Israel shouldn't have control over these lands."
While Carney's announcement was praised by the governments of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, and by Canadian advocates for Palestinians, the Israeli government condemned the move.
"The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages," Israel's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on social media.
Foreign Ministry Statement:<br><br>Israel rejects the statement by the Prime Minister of Canada.<br>The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the… <a href="https://t.co/GnA67qAzuY">pic.twitter.com/GnA67qAzuY</a>
—@IsraelMFACanadian Jewish organizations have also argued that Canada's decision will undermine ceasefire negotiations and encourage further violence.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of those taken hostage in Hamas's Oct. 7 attack, told CBS News, "Recognizing a Palestinian state while 50 hostages remain trapped in Hamas tunnels amounts to rewarding terrorism. Such recognition is not a step toward peace, but rather a clear violation of international law and a dangerous moral and political failure that legitimizes horrific war crimes."
In Gaza, Ahmed Kurdiya thanked Canada.
"This is a historical right for Palestinian people, the downtrodden," said Kurdiya, 45.
"I hope that this decision's results are seen in reality — not just an announcement but that there will also be steps taken to support a Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank with East Jerusalem as its capital."
He added that it will be up to Palestinian people during free elections to reject Hamas.
Israel's ambassador to Canada says he doesn't believe they'll get that chance.
"When a country like Canada says, 'We are going to recognize whoever it is on the Palestinian side as a state,' that is fine," Iddo Moed told CBC's Power & Politics. "But on the ground, it doesn't change a thing.
"[Palestinian President Mahmoud] Abbas's commitments, we've heard them so many times before. Just one question: why is he there for so many years without elections? Why aren't there any elections there? Because there is no support."
Hamas started the war with its attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 others. They still hold 50 hostages, including around 20 believed to be alive and held in Gaza. Most of the rest of the hostages were released in ceasefires or other deals.
Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians. The UN and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.
A total of 89 children have died of malnutrition since the war began in Gaza. Israel denies there is any starvation in Gaza, rejecting accounts to the contrary from witnesses, UN agencies and aid groups, and says the focus on hunger undermines ceasefire efforts.
With files from The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and CBS