'Canada has values': Carney defends recognition of Palestinian statehood despite U.S. criticism
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney defended on Tuesday his government’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine despite fierce criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, Republican lawmakers and the Conservative opposition in Ottawa.
Earlier in the day, Trump accused allied nations — which include Canada — of encouraging “continued conflict” in the Middle East by seemingly rewarding terrorist group Hamas.
“The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists for their atrocities. This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including October 7, even while they refused to release the hostages or accept a ceasefire,” Trump said at the United Nations General Assembly.
“Instead of giving in to Hamas’ ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message: release the hostages now,” he added in a nearly hour-long speech.
Nearly two years after Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, it is believed that 48 men and women are still held hostage in the Gaza Strip. Of that number, Israel believes that 20 of them may still be alive along with the bodies of 30 others.
Trump called on all member states to “come together” to stop the war in Gaza, negotiate lasting peace and get the remaining hostages back — whether they are alive or dead.
“We have to get them back now. We don’t want to get back two, then another two, and then one and then three… No, we want them all back. And we want the… dead bodies back too. Those parents came to me, and they want them back… as though they were alive.”
Trump reiterated that the last hostages would be the “hardest” to bring back home, given that they have been used as bargaining chips for Hamas.
Carney has consistently said it is “imperative” for Hamas to release all hostages, and that the terrorist group can play no role in the future governance of the state of Palestine.
He said the Palestinian Authority has committed to hold general elections in 2026 — even though that has not happened since 2006 — “in which Hamas can play no part.”
At the same time, Carney has chastised Israel for preventing “the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established” and of pursuing “an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law.”
The decisions of Canada, along with the United Kingdom, France, Australia and others, to recognize Palestinian statehood bring to 156 the number of countries that have done so.
That happened despite a recent letter from a group of U.S. Republicans threatening those countries of “punitive measures” if they did not reconsider their decision to recognize Palestinian statehood which would put them at odds with longstanding U.S. foreign policy.
“This is a reckless policy that undermines prospects for peace,” they wrote in a letter sent on Sept. 19. “It sets the dangerous precedent that violence, not diplomacy, is the most expedient means for terrorist groups like Hamas to achieve their political aims.”
Speaking to reporters in New York, Carney rejected the suggestion that his government’s foreign policy stance would affect the ongoing negotiations for a new trade agreement.
The United Kingdom has already signed a trade deal with the U.S., as has France through the European Union, which secured lower U.S. tariffs. Canada, however, is still subject to high U.S. tariffs for key sectors such as steel and aluminum, and the automobile industry.
“Let’s be absolutely clear: we have the best trade deal of any country in the world,” he said. “Right now, with the United States, 85 per cent plus of our trade is free… That deal can be better. Both President Trump and I agree on that.”
On the recognition of Palestinian statehood, Carney said this is a question of principle for the country. “Canada has values, and Canada sticks by those values. We have an independent foreign policy. We make decisions that are consistent with our values.”
He added that Canada’s objective, with regards to the broader Middle East, is “exactly the same” as Trump, which is to establish peace in the region.
To that end, the President met with leaders of Gulf and Arab states on Tuesday to end the war in Gaza, while Carney said he also had some “side meetings” on that same issue with “a number of influential powers” on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly.
“There is some complementarity to these efforts, and we will continue to do our bit,” said Carney.
Meanwhile, back home, Conservatives offered harsh words to the Liberal government for their decision to recognize Palestinian statehood.
“Doing this on the eve of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), emboldening mobs and violence upon our Jewish communities, is evil,” said Conservative MP Shuvaloy Majumdar on Monday. “This is not diplomacy. It is appeasement. It is betrayal.”
“The Prime Minister has dispensed with human dignity and the rule of law. He has emboldened terror with the state. It is evil,” he added.
Interim NDP Leader Don Davies said his party was offering his “full support” to Canada’s decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, something that his party has been advocating for, but said it cannot simply be a symbolic gesture.
“We’re calling on this government to follow through and follow up with this recognition by pressing Israel to cease its hostilities immediately, to have both parties agree to a ceasefire and to immediately commence peace talks,” said Davies.
Carney also hinted that there would need to be a peacekeeping mission in place by external powers should West Bank and Gaza eventually free themselves from Hamas, become fully demilitarized and Israel see the hostages returned.
He committed to doing “what’s best for peace in that region.”
National Post
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