Canada to recognize State of Palestine at UN General Assembly in September
Carney condemned the Israeli government at a news conference on Wednesday saying it "allowed a catastrophe to unfold in Gaza."
He said Canada will recognize Palestine on the condition that the Palestinian Authority holds elections next year without Hamas taking part and undertakes other democratic reforms.
Israel's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday rejected Canada's move saying the decision is a "reward" for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and for the release of hostages.
Canada's move would make it the third among the Group of Seven nations to recognize Palestine, after France and Britain. France announced its decision to do so last week.
A three-day conference was held at the UN headquarters in New York until Wednesday, to advance steps toward a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Britain said during the conference that it would recognize a Palestinian state on certain conditions.
More countries, including Australia and Finland, have expressed "the willingness or the positive consideration" to recognize the State of Palestine. In a joint statement, they urged other nations to join their call.
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