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During the [[Ottoman Empire]]'s rule over [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], which lasted until [[World War I]], Canada did not have a significant relationship with the region. However, following the war, the [[British Empire]] gained control over Palestine, and Canada became a member of the [[League of Nations]], which granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine. In 1947, the [[United Nations General Assembly]] [[United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine#In favour (33 countries, 72%25 of total votes)|voted in favor of the partition of Palestine]], leading to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Canada endorsed the partition plan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc-clio.com/products/d5170c/|title=Personal Policy Making: Canada's Role in the Adoption of the Palestine Partition Resolution}}</ref>
During the [[Ottoman Empire]]'s rule over [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], which lasted until [[World War I]], Canada did not have a significant relationship with the region. However, following the war, the [[British Empire]] gained control over Palestine, and Canada became a member of the [[League of Nations]], which granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine. In 1947, the [[United Nations General Assembly]] [[United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine#In favour (33 countries, 72%25 of total votes)|voted in favor of the partition of Palestine]], leading to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Canada endorsed the partition plan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc-clio.com/products/d5170c/|title=Personal Policy Making: Canada's Role in the Adoption of the Palestine Partition Resolution}}</ref>

However, Canada's relationship with Palestine has been more complicated. After the [[1967 Arab-Israeli War]], Israel occupied the [[West Bank and Gaza Strip]], territories that were recognized by the international community as part of Palestine. Canada initially supported a [[two-state solution]] to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but over time, its policies shifted towards a more pro-Israel stance.{{cn|date=March 2023}}


In recent years, Canada has continued to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and has been criticized by some for not taking a more active role in supporting Palestinian rights. However, Canada has also provided humanitarian aid to Palestinians and has expressed support for a two-state solution, and does not recognize West Bank settlements as part of Israel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anews.com.tr/middle-east/2018/10/13/canada-pledges-62m-aid-for-palestinians|title=Canada pledges $62M aid for Palestinian refugee agency|website=anews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecjn.ca/news/canada-expresses-its-concern-over-israels-punitive-measures-against-the-palestinian-authority/|title=Canada expresses its concern over Israel’s ‘punitive measures’ against the Palestinian Authority|date=18 January 2023|website=The Canadian Jewish News}}</ref>
In recent years, Canada has continued to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and has been criticized by some for not taking a more active role in supporting Palestinian rights. However, Canada has also provided humanitarian aid to Palestinians and has expressed support for a two-state solution, and does not recognize West Bank settlements as part of Israel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anews.com.tr/middle-east/2018/10/13/canada-pledges-62m-aid-for-palestinians|title=Canada pledges $62M aid for Palestinian refugee agency|website=anews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecjn.ca/news/canada-expresses-its-concern-over-israels-punitive-measures-against-the-palestinian-authority/|title=Canada expresses its concern over Israel’s ‘punitive measures’ against the Palestinian Authority|date=18 January 2023|website=The Canadian Jewish News}}</ref>
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The Canadian government recognizes the [[Palestinian Authority]] (PA) as the representative of the Palestinian people and has maintained contact with the PA since its establishment in 1994. Canada has also provided financial assistance to the PA in support of institution-building, economic development, and humanitarian assistance.
The Canadian government recognizes the [[Palestinian Authority]] (PA) as the representative of the Palestinian people and has maintained contact with the PA since its establishment in 1994. Canada has also provided financial assistance to the PA in support of institution-building, economic development, and humanitarian assistance.


Despite the strong support for Israel in Canada, many in the First Nations communities are sympathetic with Palestinians due to perceived historic parallels in both peoples struggles <ref>https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-people-canada-gaza-palestinians-1.7032180</ref>
Canada is also one of the few countries in the international community, alongside the United States, Israel, and the Compact of Free Association states, to consistently vote against pro-Palestine and anti Israelresolutions in the UN.


==Diaspora==
==Diaspora==
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During the 1970s through the 1980s, saw Canada become more actively engaged in efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.{{cn|date=March 2023}}
During the 1970s through the 1980s, saw Canada become more actively engaged in efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

[[File:The Palestinian General Delegation in Canada.png|thumb|The Palestinian General Delegation in Ottawa, Canada.]]


Official Palestinian-Canadian ties can be traced back to the aftermath of the [[Oslo Accords]]; in 1993, a Canadian representative office was established in [[Ramallah]]. On the other side, in 1995, an office in [[Ottawa]] was established to represent Palestinian interests.<ref name="auto"/>
Official Palestinian-Canadian ties can be traced back to the aftermath of the [[Oslo Accords]]; in 1993, a Canadian representative office was established in [[Ramallah]]. On the other side, in 1995, an office in [[Ottawa]] was established to represent Palestinian interests.<ref name="auto"/>


In March 2024, resolution under the government of [[Justin Trudeau]] called for Canada to "work with international partners to actively pursue the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the [[Middle East]], including towards the establishment of the State of Palestine as part of a negotiated two-state solution." Though the original proposal of this bill, by the [[New Democratic Party]] under [[Jagmeet Singh]], called for the House of Commons to "officially recognize the State of Palestine," this line was removed prior to the passing of the bill.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ndp-motion-regarding-palestinian-statehood-passes-after-major-liberal-alterations-1.6811956|title=NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations|website=CTV News|first=Rachel |last=Aiello}}</ref>
==Cultural relations==

Majdi el Omari, a Palestinian-Canadian filmmaker, directed standstill, a story about a Mohawk and a Palestinian refugee crossing paths. The film is mostly in the Mohawk language, one of the few of its kind in Canadian cinema <ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/mostly-mohawk-language-film-explores-similarities-palestinians//}}</ref>.

Mahmoud Darwish was part of a Palestinian delegation to a UN-habitat conference in 1976, where he presented his poetry alongside writer and academic Lee Maracle of the sto;lo nation <ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://https://caiavictoria.ca/article%20of%20month.htm//}}</ref>.

Some First Nations/Metis, BLM, and Palestinian activists have on occasion expressed solidarity and sympathy with each other due to perceived historic parallels of both societies living under settler colonialism, although a few Indigenous individuals have rejected such comparisons. Palestinian flags are sometimes seen in Indigenous and BLM rallies.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://https://www.thestar.com/opinion/2021/05/30/the-surprising-bonds-that-link-palestinian-black-and-indigenous-liberation-movements.html//}}</ref>.


In October 2024, the Canadian [[House of Commons]] standing committee conducted expert hearings on the issue.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zimonjic |first1=Peter |title=Former envoy to Israel tells MPs Canada should recognize Palestinian state now |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jon-allen-committee-palestinian-state-1.7366978 |access-date=10 December 2024 |publisher=CBC}}</ref> Shortly after, House of Commons Petition e-5244 gathered more than 500 signatures, forcing the government to publicly respond to the popular demand to recognize Palestine as a state.<ref>{{cite web |title=e-5244 (Foreign affairs) |url=https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-5244 |publisher=House of Commons Canada |access-date=10 December 2024}}</ref> At the time, [[Opinion polling for the 2025 Canadian federal election|polls]] suggested that the [[Conservative Party of Canada]] was the frontrunner for the upcoming election. The Conservatives made clear that for them the recognition of Palestine is not an option unless Israel agrees to it.
However, in 2018, The Iroquois lacrosse team performed in the Lacrosse championships in Netanyah, Israeli, despite the objections of BDS and some of their own community members <ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/iroquois-nationals-going-to-israel-despite-calls-to-boycott-world-lacrosse-championships//}}</ref>. Some Indigenous adhere to global evangelical protestantism and thus support zionist restorationism.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 17:41, 10 December 2024

Canada-Palestine relations
Map indicating locations of Canada and Palestine

Canada
Palestine

The history of Canada-Palestine ties is complicated. Various circumstances, including Canada's colonial legacy, foreign relations, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have shaped it.

During the Ottoman Empire's rule over Palestine, which lasted until World War I, Canada did not have a significant relationship with the region. However, following the war, the British Empire gained control over Palestine, and Canada became a member of the League of Nations, which granted Britain the mandate to administer Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted in favor of the partition of Palestine, leading to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Canada endorsed the partition plan.[1]

In recent years, Canada has continued to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and has been criticized by some for not taking a more active role in supporting Palestinian rights. However, Canada has also provided humanitarian aid to Palestinians and has expressed support for a two-state solution, and does not recognize West Bank settlements as part of Israel.[2][3]

The Canadian government recognizes the Palestinian Authority (PA) as the representative of the Palestinian people and has maintained contact with the PA since its establishment in 1994. Canada has also provided financial assistance to the PA in support of institution-building, economic development, and humanitarian assistance.

Despite the strong support for Israel in Canada, many in the First Nations communities are sympathetic with Palestinians due to perceived historic parallels in both peoples struggles [4]

Diaspora

There are about 30,000 Palestinians living in Canada.[5]

History

From 1948 to 1967, Canada recognized Israel shortly after its establishment, but did not formally recognize the Palestinian refugees as a distinct group or advocate for their rights.[citation needed] However, Canada did support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provided assistance to Palestinian refugees.

In the aftermath of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Canada began to express concern about the situation of the Palestinians and the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. In 1969, Canada supported the UN Security Council Resolution 242, which called for Israeli withdrawal from the territories occupied in the war and the recognition of the right of all states in the region to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries.[citation needed]

During the 1970s through the 1980s, saw Canada become more actively engaged in efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.[citation needed]

The Palestinian General Delegation in Ottawa, Canada.

Official Palestinian-Canadian ties can be traced back to the aftermath of the Oslo Accords; in 1993, a Canadian representative office was established in Ramallah. On the other side, in 1995, an office in Ottawa was established to represent Palestinian interests.[5]

In March 2024, resolution under the government of Justin Trudeau called for Canada to "work with international partners to actively pursue the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including towards the establishment of the State of Palestine as part of a negotiated two-state solution." Though the original proposal of this bill, by the New Democratic Party under Jagmeet Singh, called for the House of Commons to "officially recognize the State of Palestine," this line was removed prior to the passing of the bill.[6]

In October 2024, the Canadian House of Commons standing committee conducted expert hearings on the issue.[7] Shortly after, House of Commons Petition e-5244 gathered more than 500 signatures, forcing the government to publicly respond to the popular demand to recognize Palestine as a state.[8] At the time, polls suggested that the Conservative Party of Canada was the frontrunner for the upcoming election. The Conservatives made clear that for them the recognition of Palestine is not an option unless Israel agrees to it.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Personal Policy Making: Canada's Role in the Adoption of the Palestine Partition Resolution".
  2. ^ "Canada pledges $62M aid for Palestinian refugee agency". anews.
  3. ^ "Canada expresses its concern over Israel's 'punitive measures' against the Palestinian Authority". The Canadian Jewish News. 18 January 2023.
  4. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-people-canada-gaza-palestinians-1.7032180
  5. ^ a b "الفلسطينيون في كندا | مركز المعلومات الوطني الفلسطيني". info.wafa.ps.
  6. ^ Aiello, Rachel. "NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations". CTV News.
  7. ^ Zimonjic, Peter. "Former envoy to Israel tells MPs Canada should recognize Palestinian state now". CBC. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  8. ^ "e-5244 (Foreign affairs)". House of Commons Canada. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
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