At the United Nations, an announcement was made that Canada and Malta will recognize the state of Palestine this coming September, following the footsteps of France and the United Kingdom. The decision is a part of an intensified effort to expedite the resolution of a nearly 80-year conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, revealed this decision post a Cabinet meeting, while Malta’s Foreign Ministry permanent secretary, Christopher Cutajar, shared his country’s stance during the U.N. General Assembly meeting focused on advancing a two-state resolution to the enduring conflict. This assembly was notably extended to accommodate the sizable number of countries eager to express their views.
Malta has been a long-time supporter of Palestinian self-determination. Cutajar stated, “As responsible actors, we hold a duty to transition the two-state proposal from theory to action.” In this vein, Malta will officially recognize the state of Palestine in the upcoming U.N. General Assembly session.
In Canada’s case, Prime Minister Carney noted that the country’s recognition is based on the Palestinian Authority’s assurance to hold general elections in 2026 without Hamas involvement, and a commitment to a demilitarized state. These commitments were initially made in a correspondence from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in June. However, the exact expectations from Carney regarding these promises remain undisclosed.
Elsewhere, Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela had previously posted about Malta’s decision on social media, characterizing it as part of initiatives for lasting peace in the Middle East. The island nation, a member of the European Union, now joins over 145 countries in recognizing Palestine, which includes more than a dozen European states.
French President Emmanuel Macron had also declared in advance of this week’s proceedings that France intends to recognize Palestine during the annual congregation of world leaders within the 193-member General Assembly, starting September 23.
The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, also announced Britain’s plan to recognize Palestine before the September meeting. However, this move could be reconsidered if Israel agrees to a ceasefire and embarks on a long-term peace process within the next two months.
The decisions by France, Britain, and Canada comprise significant Western power endorsements alongside their status as members of the Group of Seven major economically developed countries.
On the other hand, Israel remains opposed to a two-state solution and, in conjunction with the United States, has decided to refrain from participating in the meeting. Israel’s U.N. Ambassador, Danny Danon, criticized the assembly and the new recognitions, stating, “Some nations fight against terrorism and extremism, whereas others remain indifferent or engage in appeasement.” He emphasized that while Israeli hostages are held in Gaza by Hamas, such recognitions divert attention away from pressing humanitarian issues.
Malta’s representative, Cutajar, reacted against these allegations, asserting that recognizing Palestine constitutes a meaningful stride towards justice and a lasting resolution.
During the U.N. conference, high-level delegates urged Israel to demonstrate its commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state, emphasizing unanimous backing for a two-state solution. They called upon nations that have yet to acknowledge the state of Palestine to do so promptly.
A comprehensive seven-page document titled the “New York Declaration” outlines a phased approach to concluding the Israel-Palestinian conflict and simultaneously addresses the Gaza conflict. The ultimate aim is to establish an independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel, leading to eventual regional integration.
Moreover, a singular statement, the “New York Call,” endorsed by fifteen Western countries, urges nations to recognize Palestine as a pivotal step towards a two-state solution. This group includes six countries that have already extended recognition and nine nations newly inclining towards it, including Malta and Canada. However, nations such as Andorra, Australia, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal, and San Marino remain noncommittal.
The Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.N., Abdulaziz Alwasil, announced a pause in the meeting following the 128th speaker, advising that a document summarizing the outcomes has been dispatched to all U.N. member countries. They have until early September to signify their support.