Canada’s former ambassador to Israel says it’s time for Canada to recognize the existence of a Palestinian state as a way to pave the way for peace in the region.
John Allen said: “Recognition of a Palestinian state does not mean peace in the region today or tomorrow. Few in either Israel or Palestine can focus on two states at this time. ” he said.
“Recognizing a Palestinian state now sends a message of hope and determination to the Palestinian people and reassures Israel and other countries that simply managing the conflict, which has been Israel’s policy for the past 17 years, is not an option. It sends a clear message that this was never the case.”
Allen, who was appointed by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government and served as ambassador to Israel from 2006 to 2010, made the comments during an appearance before the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Standing Committee on Tuesday.
Mr. Allen told the committee that he and his wife are Jewish, that he has a sister, and that he lives with his nieces and nephews just south of the Lebanon-Israel border, within range of Hezbollah rockets. Ta.
He strongly supports Israel’s right to exist in peace and security, but believes this can only happen if Palestinians have a “horizon for peace” and a clear path forward. he said.
Allen and other experts were asked to appear before MPs after the committee passed a motion to consider the fastest path to federal recognition of a Palestinian state.
The vote came despite Conservative members on the committee arguing that recognizing a Palestinian state in the absence of a negotiated agreement with Israel would be a significant departure from long-standing Canadian government policy. , was approved.
The motion’s text supports “a two-state solution in which a safe and secure Israeli state coexists with a safe and secure Palestinian state.”
Calls on the committee to “meet no more than four times to immediately consider how the Government of Canada can proceed with recognition of a Palestinian state within a two-state solution.” There is.
future of palestine
Allen said recognizing a Palestinian state would send a message to the Palestinians that the international community believes they deserve the same rights and responsibilities as Jewish Israelis.
He also said that “early recognition” would prove that international condemnation of the expansion of Jewish settlements, violence on both sides, and support for a two-state solution “can be translated into action and commitment.” Ta.
Allen said recognizing a Palestinian state would also show that Canada and the international community do not believe all Palestinians are Hamas supporters or terrorists.
“Hope and a path towards ending the conflict will go a long way in reducing violence and providing a different future for future generations of Palestinians and Israelis,” he said.
Allen said Canada also needs to send a signal that Israel should have a strong voice but not a veto over the future of Palestine.
Asked whether recognizing a Palestinian state would jeopardize Israel’s security, Allen said: “Absolutely not.”
Israel launched its attack on Gaza after a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The ensuing ground invasion has since killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Most of the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million people have been forced to flee.
Allen said recognition of a Palestinian state “doesn’t give Hamas any benefit” because Hamas does not support a two-state solution. Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government.
“Hamas does not want Israel to exist. Two-state recognition goes against the wishes of Hamas and Israel’s radical right-wing ministers,” he said. “They both want one nation – their own nation.”
