IJV acknowledges Canada’s announcement that it plans to recognize the State of Palestine in September, putting it in line with the vast majority of UN member states. While we welcome a break, however small, from Canada’s traditionally subservient foreign policy alignment with the United States and Israel, the conditions it has placed on said recognition, coupled with Canada’s continued complicity in Israel’s occupation, find it coming up short.
Canada has stipulated that its recognition of a Palestinian state is predicated on the intention of working exclusively with the Palestinian Authority, governance reform, and a demilitarized Palestinian state. These conditions continue to ignore and dehumanize Palestinians, while exerting foreign influence over Palestinian self-governance. They place the burden of demilitarization not on Israel, the nuclear power committing genocide, but rather on the population being subjected to unending bombardment, forced starvation, and occupation.
IJV has called for the recognition of a Palestinian state, but this kind of conditional recognition without action is not enough. Palestinians must receive their full rights under international law, including an end to this genocide, self-determination, and liberation from Israeli occupation.
This statement came one day after the release of a damning new report which exposes a continuous and ongoing flow of arms to Israel, despite Canada’s claims otherwise. Yet, Prime Minister Carney’s announcement did not mention any action to halt arms shipments or to enact a meaningful arms embargo. Without material action to stop arming a state committing genocide, Canada continues its complicity in the mass murder and forced starvation of Palestinians.
Gestures are not enough. Courage is necessary in support of international law.
The statement arrives as public outrage grows over Canada’s material support for Israel’s assault on Gaza, including military cargo loaded onto passenger flights. If Canada wants to act to end the devastating destruction we are witnessing, there is a clear path forward: an arms embargo and meaningful sanctions against Israel.
People are being murdered and starved by design. As Jewish anti-Zionists, we are committed to Palestinian liberation, and will not be placated by Canada’s symbolic recognition that serves to avoid accountability for material complicity in occupation, apartheid, and genocide.
End the genocide. End the occupation. Free Palestine.