Canada to recognise Palestinian state – but says Hamas must not be involvedpublished at 07:03 British Summer Time
07:03 BST
Image source, Reuters
On Wednesday in Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September.
The state would be part of the two-state solution – that is Israel and Palestine living side by side.
Carney said his decision was prompted by the “catastrophe” in Gaza, and because he feared the prospect of a Palestinian state was “receding before our eyes”.
The Palestinian Authority – which runs parts of the occupied West Bank – must commit to “much-needed reform” he said. And Hamas, which controlled Gaza, “can play no part”.
Canada’s announcement came just a day after the UK said it too would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel committed to a ceasefire.
Last
week, French President Emmanuel Macron also said France would recognise a Palestinian state in September, saying “we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel”.
It’s worth remembering that 147 of the UN’s 193 member states already formally
recognise a Palestinian state.