TORONTO: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suggested the possibility of recognizing Palestine as a state, following the recent announcements by Norway, Ireland, and Spain expressing their intention to do so.
“We are prepared to recognize the state of Palestine at the right time, not necessarily as a final step along the path,” he stated on the House floor on Thursday.
“We were pleased to be able to support the NDP motion several months ago and will continue to work towards promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Trudeau was responding to New Democratic Party (NDP) MP and foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson, who urged him to take a stand against the Gaza conflict.
Before making his statement, Trudeau emphasized the importance of establishing a “credible path” to lasting peace.
“We oppose efforts by the Netanyahu government to reject a two-state solution. At the same time, Hamas, a terrorist group, currently controls areas in Gaza and has not laid down its arms or released its hostages,” Trudeau said.
Earlier, Norway will recognize an independent Palestinian state in the hope that this step will contribute to achieving peace with Israel, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced on Wednesday.
This decision is part of a broader movement, with Ireland and Spain also planning to recognize Palestinian statehood, according to sources on Wednesday.
Recent weeks have seen other European Union members, such as Slovenia and Malta, indicating their intention to recognize Palestine. They argue that a two-state solution is crucial for ensuring lasting peace in the region.
“In the middle of a war, with tens of thousands of dead and injured, we must keep alive the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other,” Støre stated during a press conference.
Prior to these announcements, 143 out of the 193 United Nations member states had already recognized a Palestinian state. European nations have varied in their approach to this issue.
Sweden, for instance, recognized a Palestinian state a decade ago. On the other hand, France has maintained that it will only do so if it proves to be an effective tool in advancing the peace process.
These developments occur against a backdrop of intensified conflict. In May, Israeli forces launched assaults on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip, resulting in a new wave of displacement for hundreds of thousands of people. The situation has been exacerbated by severe restrictions on aid, raising the risk of famine in the region.
Norway, which is not a member of the EU, has historically stated that it would recognize Palestine as a country only if such a move could positively impact the peace process. This stance aligns with that of the United States.
Norway has a long history of being a close ally of the U.S. and has made several attempts to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians over the past few decades.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
