Amid the darkness and suffering ravaging the Gaza Strip, in the thick of a conflict that has put thousands of families—and above all, hundreds of thousands of innocent children—at risk, a light of hope shines from our host country. Canada has made a brave and deeply humane decision: on Sunday, September 21st, it became the first country in the Group of Seven (G7) to officially recognize the State of Palestine, alongside the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Australia.
This gesture of recognition is not a marginal political act but a firm commitment to peace, justice, and the dignity of a people who have been demanding for decades their right to exist and govern themselves. Prime Minister Carney explained that as a country, we uphold the historic commitment since 1947 to a two-state solution, “the creation of a sovereign, democratic, and viable State of Palestine, building its future in peace and security alongside the State of Israel.”
Carney emphasized the complexity of the moment: “Regrettably, this possibility has been steadily and gravely eroded” due to Hamas terrorism, the expansion of illegal settlements, impunity for violence against Palestinians, and the dramatic humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Therefore, Canada takes this recognition step in a difficult context, affirming that “this recognition empowers those seeking peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas.” Moreover, “it does not legitimize terrorism nor reward it,” and “does not compromise support for the State of Israel and its security.”
This recognition is backed by clear commitments from the Palestinian Authority for profound reforms, free and democratic elections in 2026 without Hamas, and a demilitarized Palestine. Canada will intensify its support for these reforms and humanitarian aid reaching Gaza and the West Bank.
This brave act gains greater significance considering that Canada resisted pressures and threats, especially during this Trump administration, which sought to impose its authoritarian, militaristic, and interventionist vision. Canada, a country welcoming migrants and refugees—and that has given me political asylum and humanitarian support—today reaffirms its global role as a defender of human rights and peace.
The relevance of Canada’s recognition also has a clear legal basis. It supports international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as in multiple UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions calling for respect of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and an independent sovereign state. This step is neither unilateral nor arbitrary; it is consistent with the global demand to stop genocide, systematic violence, and fundamental rights violations that have fueled an increasingly strong and vocal international social movement.
Human rights organizations and civil society around the world call for armed aggression to cease, for UN reports to be respected as a legitimate framework for conflict resolution, and for the international community to abandon the double standards that have allowed decades of suffering and displacement. In this context, Canada’s decision represents not only an act of political justice but a symbol of solidarity with victims and an ethical bet on the validity of international law against geopolitical interests that have hindered peace.
Recognizing the State of Palestine at this moment does not mean ignoring the complexity of the conflict but betting on a viable, just, and necessary solution for Palestinians and Israelis. It is a call to the international community for other countries to follow this example because only then can we open paths toward a dignified future, free from violence and suffering for all people involved.
