Spineless in Gaza

The false hope of unprincipled recognition makes peace harder

(Palestinians carrying flour delivered through the Zikim crossing, in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip. Bashar Taleb/AFP/Getty Images via The Globe & Mail.)

To help Gaza and its people, we have to be clear-eyed and principled.

On July 30^th Prime Minister Carney issued a statement — mirroring Britsih, French and other moves — confirming “Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine” at the UN in September. This new policy is neither clear nor coherent.

In Carney’s words, Canada’s “intention is predicated” on three Palestinian pledges — to reform governance; to hold elections in 2026 “in which Hamas can play no part”; and “to demilitarize the Palestinian state.” None will be met by September.

Carney insists Hamas disarm, release remaining Israeli hostages, and play no role in the “future governance of Palestine.” He offers no hint as to how this might be achieved. Canada and its allies are surrendering what little leverage they had.

Carney and his ministers want ‘to give Palestinians hope.’ Yet hope alone will not produce safe feeding centres or conjure an “independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state” into being out of the wasteland that is today’s Gaza.

(Humanitarian assistance being dropped by parachute into Gaza on August 1st, 2025 as photographed from Israel by Amir Cohen/Reuters.)

So let’s try to get some clarity.