The Conservative Party says Canada’s recognition of Palestinian statehood rewards Hamas’s acts of terrorism and that the federal government should instead be focused on issues of importance at home.
“Our priority is to put Canada First: restoring stronger take-home pay, safer streets and secure borders within a self-reliant country.”
Canada, the UK, Australia, and Portugal declared on Sept. 21 that they officially recognize Palestinian statehood. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move doesn’t reward terrorism.
Carney added that Hamas must release all Israeli hostages, disarm, and not have a role in the governance of Palestine. “Hamas has stolen from the Palestinian people, cheated them of their life and liberty, and can in no way dictate their future,” Carney said.
“The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established,” Carney said, mentioning civilian deaths in Gaza, settlement expansion in West Bank, and adding that Israel has “caused a devastating and preventable famine in violation of international law.”
Israel says it needs to continue its operations in the region to defeat Hamas and rejects accusations of starving civilians, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying aid is getting to civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the move to recognize Palestinian statehood, saying it amounts to giving a “prize to Hamas.” He added that there will be no Palestinian state.
“It will not happen,” he said. “A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.”
The Conservatives says that Israel has the right to defend itself and that Palestine should be free of Hamas control.
“Conservatives will always stand for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, living next to a future demilitarized, terror-free, democratic and peaceful Palestinian State,” the party said in its statement.
NDP MP Heather McPherson, whose party supports Palestinian statehood, said that while this recognition is important, it’s not enough.
The war in Gaza started after Hamas conducted raids inside Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. About 48 hostages remained in captivity as of late August, with about 20 believed to be still alive, based on the most recent figures at the time from various Israeli government sources and and media reports. Of the remaining hostages, 148 had been released, including eight released dead, while eight others were rescued alive and Israeli forces recovered about 50 bodies.
