“It is deeply concerning that the Canadian government does not link statehood recognition to the removal of Hamas and the return of Israeli hostages,” Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs CEO Noah Shack said Thursday. The CIJA represents Jewish Federations across Canada.
On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada intends to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The decision to preemptively recognize a Palestinian state is “predicated on misplaced faith in vague commitments by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, notorious for his corruption, lack of democratic credibility, and funding of terrorists,” Shack said. “Extending recognition absent real change on the ground is a recipe for another failed Palestinian pseudo-state controlled by terrorists.”
The move would only embolden Hamas, while simultaneously condemning Palestinians and Israelis to more suffering, he said.
Peaceful coexistence could only occur if a Palestinian state is Zionist, “affirming the right of a democratic, Jewish state to exist in security,” Shack said.
“Preemptive recognition of a Palestinian state undermines this core principle,” he said.
The UJA Federations of Greater Toronto and Vancouver reposted his statement on social media.
B’nai Brith Canada also expressed deep concern about Carney’s announcement.
“This decision is dangerously premature,” said Richard Robertson, B’nai Brith Canada’s director of research and advocacy. “As the government’s intent to recognize a Palestinian state is predicated on the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to democratic reform and demilitarization, B’nai Brith Canada questions whether the PA can be trusted as a legitimate state actor and partner in the peace process.”
B’nai Brith Canada praised Carney’s statement that any two-state solution precludes Hamas from participating in any future Palestinian state. Nevertheless, it said the PA had failed to act on its rhetoric in the past, indicating that it might not be suitable to lead.
“This decision could also be leveraged by anti-Israel extremists as an endorsement of their vitriolic actions that have been fomenting hate across Canada,” Robertson said. He urged the government to reconsider the viability of the proposal.
Israel's ambassador responds
Israel’s ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, said Israel rejects Canada’s endorsement of Palestinian statehood.
Israeli Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed said Israel rejects Canada’s endorsement of Palestinian statehood.
“Let us be clear: Israel will not bow to the distorted campaign of international pressure against it,” he said. “We will not sacrifice our very existence by permitting the imposition of a jihadist state on our ancestral homeland that seeks our annihilation.”
Recognizing a Palestinian state in the absence of an accountable government or functioning institutions “rewards and legitimizes the monstrous barbarity of Hamas on October 7, 2023,” and “punishes Israeli and Palestinian victims of Hamas,” he added.
“As Prime Minister Carney stated, a Palestinian state must live ‘side by side in security with Israel’ and ‘recognize the right of Israel to exist.’ President Abbas’s latest vision for the future sharply contrasts with the Palestinian Authority’s long-standing record. Thus, it is hard to see his newfound ‘commitments’ as more than a thinly veiled strategy to maintain the status quo with the sympathy and support of the international community. Canada and its allies should not be under illusion otherwise,” Moed said.