CIJA Calls on Government of Canada to Hold Palestinian Leaders Accountable for Broken Statehood Commitments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON—October 13, 2026—Following a joint statement by Canada, Australia, France and the United Kingdom on the Palestinian Authority’s decision to postpone elections until September 2027, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) released the following statement:
“Canada's joint statement implies that the Palestinian Authority (PA) has broken an explicit commitment on which recognition of Palestinian statehood was predicated: holding elections in 2026 in which Hamas would have no role. Yet the Canadian government offers no indication of what consequences the PA will face, while suggesting that Israel is somehow to blame for a decision made by the PA in cooperation with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both listed by Canada as terrorist entities.
“While the Canadian government pursues punitive measures and sanctions against Israel, it must demonstrate that the Palestinians will also be held accountable for failing to honour their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace.
"Otherwise, the government risks a dangerous double standard that has implications for both the region and for the safety of Canadians as security experts warn that criticism of Israel has been exploited to fuel antisemitism, violence and even acts of terror.”
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Background Information:
- Statement by Prime Minister Carney on Canada’s recognition of a Palestinian state, July 30, 2025
- David Vigneault, former CSIS Director, warned on the BBC that people who do not know what they are talking about have exploited criticism of Israel to fuel radicalization, antisemitism, and even commit terrorist acts on Canadian soil.
