Malta and Canada announced plans to formally recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September 2025, aligning with France and potentially the United Kingdom to intensify pressure for a two-state solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The declarations, made during a UN conference on the two-state solution, reflect growing international momentum to end the crisis in Gaza and advance peace.
Malta’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Christopher Cutajar, announced the decision at the UN, emphasizing Malta’s commitment to Palestinian self-determination. “Recognition is a concrete step toward a just and lasting peace,” Cutajar said, noting Malta’s long-standing support for a two-state solution. Prime Minister Robert Abela echoed this on Facebook, framing it as part of Malta’s pursuit of Middle East peace.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, following a Cabinet meeting, confirmed Canada’s recognition would also be declared at the General Assembly, starting September 23. He stipulated conditions, including Palestinian Authority elections in 2026 excluding Hamas and a demilitarized Palestinian state, referencing promises by President Mahmoud Abbas.
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France’s President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously announced similar plans. Macron confirmed France’s recognition for September, while Starmer said the UK would follow unless Israel commits to a ceasefire and peace process within eight weeks. These moves by G7 nations—France, Canada, and potentially the UK—signal a significant shift, with Malta joining over 145 countries, including Ireland, Norway, and Spain, in recognizing Palestine.
The UN conference, extended to a third day due to high participation, produced the “New York Declaration,” a seven-page plan for a demilitarized Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel. A separate “New York Call,” backed by 15 Western nations, urged global recognition of Palestine, listing Malta and Canada among nine yet to act. Saudi Arabia’s UN ambassador, Abdulaziz Alwasil, suspended the meeting, pending endorsements of the outcome document by September.
Israel, boycotting the conference alongside the U.S., condemned the recognitions. Ambassador Danny Danon called them “hypocrisy” that “legitimizes terrorism,” citing hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Malta’s Cutajar countered that recognition advances peace, not conflict.
The announcements follow domestic pressure in Malta, with protests in Valletta and calls from both ruling and opposition parties for recognition. Abela had initially planned to announce this in June, but a postponed UN conference delayed the move.
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