Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will recognize Palestinian statehood if its governing body makes certain reforms.
“Canada intends to recognize the state of Palestine at the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations which will take place in September,” Carney said during a press conference on July 30 in Ottawa. The announcement was made after a meeting of the Liberal cabinet in the afternoon, where the situation in the Middle East was discussed.
Carney said the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, needs to make certain reforms for Ottawa’s recognition to materialize. He added that he has spoken extensively with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and that Abbas has committed to significant reform including holding general elections next year and not militarizing a potential state of Palestine….