July 31, 2025 — New York, NY
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement that Canada will recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly this September is, like the French and British announcements before it, deeply troubling.
The timing of this announcement – on the heels of Hamas once again rejecting a proposal that would return the remaining hostages and implement a ceasefire – emboldens those who believe that violence, terrorism, and hostage-taking are legitimate means to achieve political goals.
While we welcome the stated preconditions of the release of the hostages and need for reform within the Palestinian Authority, Ottawa's move toward unilateral recognition fails to recognize the many and difficult steps that will have to be taken for Israeli-Palestinian peace to succeed, and will do nothing to advance the process. It undermines the efforts of leaders across the region and around the world toward a negotiated two-state solution.
Rather than moving us toward a long-term peace, this decision will setback that process. We urge PM Carney to reconsider ahead of the UN General Assembly.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.
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