Canada may face ‘punitive measures’ for recognizing Palestinian state: U.S. Republicans

OTTAWA — A group of U.S. Republicans warned Prime Minister Mark Carney and allied nations on Friday that recognizing the Palestinian state may invite “punitive measures in response” for being “at odds” with longstanding U.S. foreign policy.

In an open letter, 25 Republican members of Congress and Senators called on Carney to “reconsider” his government’s decision. Carney formally recognized the Palestinian state on Sunday, ahead of his arrival in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

The letter was also addressed to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron — who joined Canada and more than 140 countries that have already recognized Palestinian statehood.

“This is a reckless policy that undermines prospects for peace,” wrote the U.S. Republicans. “It sets the dangerous precedent that violence, not diplomacy, is the most expedient means for terrorist groups like Hamas to achieve their political aims.”

They added that recognition is “especially troubling” considering Hamas’s terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, and reminded the world leaders that Canada, France and the United Kingdom, along with many other countries, had some of their citizens killed that day.

They said Hamas continue to hold hostages, Israeli and other foreign nationals, using them as “bargaining chips” and that those who are still alive are being held in “deplorable conditions.”

“Hamas’s war crimes are clear, and its rejection of diplomacy should lead your countries to impose more pressure. Instead, you offer greater rewards,” they wrote.

Carney has said that it is imperative that Hamas release all hostages and play no role in the future governance of the state. He also said that recognizing the Palestinian state does not legitimize terrorism, nor does it compromise Canada’s “steadfast support” for Israel.

Speaking at an event in New York on Monday, Carney said that his government’s goal in recognizing Palestinian statehood is to keep the topic “front and centre” at the United Nations General Assembly with a host of “influential but not decisive countries.”

“We’re under no illusions that this is any sort of panacea, but it’s necessary, in our judgment, and the judgment of most other countries in the world, that we have to push on this now,” he said during a fireside chat with the Council on Foreign Relations.

“So, we’re doing what we can, but recognizing limitations.”

Later on Monday, Carney offered remarks at an international conference, organized by France and Saudi Arabia, in support of the two-state solution.

In a recent interview, Louise Blais, a former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, said the United States is an “important player in the Middle East” and that any effort to get Israel to adjust its position vis-a-vis Palestinian territories will require U.S. input.

The U.S. has indicated that it does not intend to recognize the Palestinian state. Speaking to reporters last week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio even said he warned allied partners this was “counterproductive” to peace talks.

“We actually think it’s undermined negotiations, because it emboldened Hamas, and we think it undermines future prospects of peace in the region,” he said.

Rubio said that reports of Israel wanting to annex parts of the West Bank, which has been criticized as being against international law, is a direct reaction to several nations like Canada deciding to “unilaterally” declare Palestinian statehood.

“It’s what we thought would happen. We warned that this kind of action would happen among some in Israeli government if they did what they did,” he said.

“But right now, we’re focused on how we can end what’s happening in Gaza,” he added. “That’s what the president wants and that’s what we’re going to continue to work on.”

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly this week.

National Post calevesque@postmedia.com

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