Montreal, September 25, 2024 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) notes the decision of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (FAAE) to study how Canada can recognize Palestinian statehood, but warns that this process should not be used to delay government action against Israel’s illegal occupation. A motion moved yesterday by Liberal MP Omar Alghabra commits to dedicate up to four meetings to “immediately study the issue of how the Government of Canada can advance the recognition of the State of Palestine” and to request a “comprehensive government response.” CJPME insists that a study is unnecessary and urges the government to finally recognize the State of Palestine immediately and without conditions.

“Trudeau could recognize Palestine with the snap of his fingers. The International Court of Justice has clearly stated that the right of Palestinians to self-determination is unconditional. What exactly is there to study?” said Michael Bueckert. “Recognition must be accompanied by concrete measures to force an end to Israel’s illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including sanctions targeting Israeli officials who are responsible for maintaining Israel’s military occupation and colonial settlement enterprise,” Bueckert added.

CJPME believes that recognizing Palestinian statehood without conditions is necessary for Canada to comply with its obligations as outlined by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In its recent Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation, the ICJ emphasized that “the existence of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination cannot be subject to conditions on the part of the occupying Power, in view of its character as an inalienable right.” Self-determination cannot be left indefinitely in a state of “suspension and uncertainty” or be conditioned on the demands of the illegal occupier. Therefore, CJPME argues that Conservative MP Michael Chong’s insistence that recognition must be conditioned on negotiations with Israel contradicts the ICJ advisory opinion and only serves to maintain Israel’s indefinite and illegal presence in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.

“For years under the Oslo paradigm, Canada has allowed the guise of non-existent negotiations to delay justice for Palestinians indefinitely. But the ICJ has made it clear that Israel is an illegitimate occupying power and doesn’t get a veto on Palestinian self-determination. Canada needs a new approach that puts the inalienable rights of Palestinians ahead of Israel’s colonial ambitions,” added Bueckert.

Although the act of recognizing the State of Palestine would be primarily symbolic, CJPME argues that it would strengthen the ability of Palestinians to seek justice in international forums, including at the ICJ and the International Criminal Court. As it would not automatically end Israel’s occupation, however, other measures – such as sanctions – are necessary to advance Palestinian self-determination and challenge Israel’s unlawful control over Palestinian land. CJPME has recently issued a factsheet exploring these issues, titled “The Case for Recognizing Palestinian Statehood.”