Statement – United Nations Security Council Open Debate – The Situation in the Middle-East, including the Palestinian Question

Canada remains firmly committed to the goal of enduring peace in the Middle East through a two-state solution. Advancing this goal with concrete and immediate measures is essential—not only for Israelis and Palestinians—but for the broader region.

Canada welcomes and fully endorses the recently established ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as a first phase of a comprehensive peace plan. We express deep appreciation to the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye. Their tireless diplomatic efforts have been instrumental in securing the release of all surviving hostages, who have been reunited with their families after more than two years of captivity; and for facilitating the increase of humanitarian aid into Gaza where it will respond to urgent needs of civilians.

The parties must fully uphold their commitments under the agreement; including by increasing the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, while continuing all efforts to secure the release of the remains of hostages.

Canada continues to condemn Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, which took the lives of nearly 1,200 people, including Canadians.

Canada remains deeply concerned by the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where most of the population has been internally displaced multiple times and where famine is occurring. We continue to advocate for the unimpeded and large-scale delivery of humanitarian assistance into and throughout the Gaza Strip. Since October 2023, Canada has pledged over $400 million in humanitarian and development assistance to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza; and we are committed to supporting the scale up of humanitarian assistance, stabilization efforts, and recovery after two years of devastating conflict. We look forward to engaging with international partners on these issues at the proposed international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Egypt.

Amidst the crisis in Gaza, we must not lose sight of alarming developments in the West Bank, where settlement expansion and extremist settler violence persist. Canada firmly opposes the expansion of settlements, including the E1 settlement project. Settlements not only undermine prospects for a two-state solution, but they are illegal under international law. Canada also condemns extremist settler violence and all acts of terrorism perpetrated against all civilians.

As part of a global initiative aimed at preserving the two-state solution and empowering those who seek peaceful coexistence and the disarmament of Hamas, Canada formally recognized the State of Palestine on September 21, 2025. While we acknowledge that recognition alone cannot resolve all challenges, nor does it replace the need for negotiations on final status issues, it reflects Canada’s longstanding support for the self-determination and the human rights of the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian Authority has committed to significant reforms, including to holding general elections, to ensuring that Hamas has no future role in governance, and to demilitarizing the future Palestinian state. Canada remains closely engaged with the Palestinian Authority as it implements these reforms, each of which is critical to advancing the goals of peace, security, and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

The goal of lasting peace in the Middle East requires sustained engagement from the international community. Canada stands ready to do its part.