CIJA condemns reckless liberal motion to study recognition of Palestinian statehood without negotiations

Ottawa, ON – September 24, 2024 – Today, Liberal Members of Parliament introduced a motion in the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (FAAE) to study the recognition of a Palestinian state without negotiations with Israel.

In reaction, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) condemned the move, with President and CEO Shimon Koffler Fogel releasing the following statement:

"This reckless move undermines peace and jeopardizes Israel’s security. Without negotiations, how can we be certain that a future Palestinian state would commit to peace, security, and coexistence with Israel? Immediate recognition, without these guarantees, not only threatens Israel's security but also rewards groups like Hamas that choose terrorism over peaceful negotiations.

“The division within Palestinian leadership – where a weak government holds control in the West Bank and Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, dominates Gaza – raises critical concerns about who would represent the Palestinian state. This uncertainty is compounded by unresolved major final status issues such as refugees, borders, and the status of Jerusalem, along with a myriad of practical matters like water rights, the electricity grid, and control of airspace. Without negotiations, these issues remain unaddressed, threatening both Israel's security and the stability of a future Palestinian state.

“The Liberal motion appears to prioritize political theatre over meaningful contributions to advancing peace. It rewards Hamas for its violent, unprovoked attack on Israel just last October and sends a dangerous message that terrorism can be an acceptable route to political gain. It also appears to be a cynical exercise for votes.

"We deeply appreciate Conservative Foreign Affairs Critic Michael Chong’s efforts to ensure that any recognition of a Palestinian state be conditioned on negotiations with Israel. While his amendments were defeated, they provided a vital, balanced approach.

“We firmly believe that recognizing a Palestinian state without direct negotiations with Israel will undermine the prospects for lasting peace. This shift reflects Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly's abandonment of a long-standing policy, upheld by both Liberal and Conservative governments for decades, which required peace negotiations as a precondition for Palestinian statehood.

“It is especially alarming that much of the study is scheduled to take place during the Jewish High Holidays, effectively excluding the participation of Jewish community representatives at a crucial time for engagement.”

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