Canada cannot properly assert its sovereignty in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of potentially devastating tariffs and annexation without charting an independent foreign policy.
The boldest way to do this is by addressing the massive political and humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip in a way that sets us apart from Trump’s one-sided, pro-Israel policies in the region.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government should publicly declare Canada recognizes Palestinian statehood – something that more than 140 United Nations member countries have already done (including some of our allies). France became the latest country to take the step last week.
There is no better time as the Middle East stares at further chaos. The United States is flirting with another long-term regional conflict, although a tenuous ceasefire is holding after recent attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran. The ongoing Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip has taken the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians, including women and children. Dozens of Israeli hostages remain in Hamas custody.
It’s time for Canada to take a stand
It’s time for Canada to speak up. Canada holds the G7 presidency this year and just hosted multiple world leaders at the group’s annual summit. We therefore have a prominent platform.
We should announce support for Palestinian statehood as part of our longstanding backing of the two-state vision for the area and as part of an independent foreign policy that prioritizes human rights for all.
Some supporters of the Trump administration now back plans by top Israeli leaders to annex the Gaza Strip, despite the fact this is illegal under international law. Several months ago, Trump backed a version of this plan while simultaneously making Canadians’ lives harder with tariff and other economic threats as part of his goal of annexing our country as the 51st American state.
Striking our own course as a confident nation means rejecting decisions by a belligerent neighbour that contradict our values, priorities and national interests. It’s important to understand how recognizing Palestinian statehood in the name of international law and human rights clearly aligns with Canadian values and commitments.
First, it would affirm Canada’s adherence to international norms and human rights at a time when the Trump government appears to be on the warpath against both concepts. Canada must put our own commitments, vision and values first.
Second, recognizing Palestinian statehood aligns Canada’s actions with our constant affirmation of the two-state solution in the region – two states for two peoples living side-by-side. We can’t keep harping on this framework when we recognize only one of the two entities.
Protecting civilians in both Israel and Gaza is critical for peace and justice
Lastly, a move to recognize the State of Palestine would put more diplomatic pressure on Israeli officials to halt illegal settlement expansion and stop plans to annex the Gaza Strip. This is a critical precedent for all nations to follow.
Our allies such as Spain, Ukraine and Norway understand this. They have already backed Palestinian statehood at the United Nations. Palestine has “permanent observer status” at the UN – a notch below full statehood. The UN General Assembly voted last year to make Palestine a full member, but the U.S. vetoed the motion. Canada abstained.
Last fall, the Commons standing committee on foreign affairs and international development passed a motion to study the quickest route for Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Palestinians are in the unenviable position of having other world powers dictate their future. This must end.
Canada must endorse Palestinian statehood including the right to self-determination, the right to their own territory and the right to dictate their own future, free of any forces that seek to curtail their sovereignty. There also must be a fair resolution for Palestinian refugees who lost their homes during the 1948 war and after.
Canada has the chance to set a global example, to defend human rights while showing the world we stand apart from Trump’s America. We should seize the opportunity.
