OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on July 30, 2025, that Canada plans to back the recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The move is a major change in Canadian foreign policy and has sparked intense criticism, especially among Canadian Jews. Aligning with recent decisions by France and the UK, Carney’s plan has stirred objections about shifting Canadian values, growing anti-Israel attitudes in the Liberal Party, and fueling concern over rising antisemitism.
The decision, which depends on reforms from the Palestinian Authority, has widened a divide between the Liberal government and Jewish Canadians, leaving many feeling more isolated and anxious as hate crimes increase.
Announcement Leaves Jewish Community Feeling Betrayed
Carney, together with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, broke away from Canada’s usual approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He pointed to the “increasing suffering of civilians” in Gaza and the “constant threat from Hamas” as reasons for Canada’s new stance.
The support is conditional: the Palestinian Authority must commit to democratic reforms, organize elections in 2026 without Hamas, and demilitarize the area. “Supporting a two-state solution means backing everyone who rejects violence,” Carney said, describing the move as a step toward safety and prosperity for both sides.
Canada’s Jewish community, numbering about 335,000, reacted with disappointment and anger. Groups such as the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and B’nai Brith Canada called the decision “reckless and too soon.”
Noah Shack, head of CIJA, warned that the policy “could be used by anti-Israel extremists to justify hateful actions sweeping across the country.” Avi Abraham Benlolo of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative took it further, calling the move a “prize for terrorism” and arguing that it lacks a real peace plan.
Many critics believe Carney’s decision ignores Israel’s security and could strengthen groups like Hamas, which is listed as a terrorist group by Canada. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the plan “disrupts efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.” Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, warned this would give Hamas more confidence—a worry shared by many Canadian Jews who see the policy as risking Israel’s safety.
Tensions with Liberals Run Deep
This isn’t the first sign of tension between the Liberals and Canada’s Jewish community. Since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, which left 1,200 dead and over 250 kidnapped, Jewish Canadians have seen hate crimes rise, from firebombs to vandalism at synagogues and community centres. Many leaders blame the Liberal government for not taking the threat of antisemitism seriously and for a shift in tone toward Israel.
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s time saw more strain as his government backed a UN motion against Israeli settlements and supported International Criminal Court warrants for Israeli leaders like Netanyahu.
Funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), despite its alleged ties to Hamas, also upset many in the Jewish community, leading some to switch support to Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party. Poilievre, supporting Israel and Jewish security, called Carney’s plan “a reward for violence, not peace.”
Carney took over as Liberal leader in March 2025 after Trudeau stepped down, but has struggled to bridge the gap. Though he has spoken against antisemitic actions—like when a Montreal synagogue was defaced with a swastika—and cited Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, many Jewish leaders find his efforts lacking.
Vivian Bercovici, Canada’s former ambassador to Israel, said Carney continues Trudeau’s policies and fails to address key events such as pro-Hamas demonstrations in Jewish neighbourhoods.
Antisemitic Hate Crimes Rise Under Liberals
The Jewish community’s frustration grows as antisemitic violence in Canada has increased under Liberal rule. Since October 7, 2023, there have been firebombings of synagogues, shootings at Jewish schools, and swastikas painted on community spaces.
These attacks have made many Jewish Canadians fear for their safety at schools and places of worship. Amir Amozig, a Montreal resident, says the Liberals’ failure to tackle antisemitism led him to turn away from the party after many years of support.
According to the CIJA, hate incidents against Jews have sharply increased, fuelled by anti-Israel protests and rhetoric that critics say the Liberal government has not controlled.
While Carney has vowed to bring in new laws to shield places of worship from protests, Jewish leaders remain skeptical, questioning why it took this long. During a recent debate, Carney called the rise in hate “totally unacceptable,” though critics argue that the Liberal government’s arms embargo on Israel and now the recognition of a Palestinian state have made things worse for Jewish Canadians.
Accusations of Betraying Canadian Values
Conservative mayor Jeremy Levi of Hampstead, Quebec, accused Carney of turning away from Canadian ideals of fairness, safety, and support for democratic allies like Israel. Levi described Carney’s lack of support for Israeli security as “cowardly” and a “shameful loss of moral clarity.”
Critics see the plan to recognize a Palestinian state, especially without a solid peace plan, as bowing to global pressure and breaking from Canada’s long-standing policy of seeking negotiated solutions.
Some, like NDP MP Heather McPherson, support Carney’s decision and say it matches Canada’s principles of human rights and a two-state solution. McPherson called for faster action, citing the crisis in Gaza, where over 60,000 Palestinians have died since 2023, according to the health ministry in Gaza.
Carney has said he wants a “stable and secure Palestinian state” that also accepts Israel’s right to be safe, but past missteps—like seeming to agree with a protestor calling actions in Gaza “genocide”—have weakened his standing with many Jewish Canadians.
A Divided Community as UN Vote Approaches
As the UN General Assembly meeting nears, the Jewish community faces tough choices. Many who once backed the Liberals now look to Poilievre’s Conservatives, who promise stronger action against antisemitism and solid backing for Israel. Others, such as Liberal voter Emma Cunningham, stick with Carney because of his financial skills, especially with trade issues with the US, but still worry about his foreign policy.
Carney’s plan has also drawn outside criticism, including from US President Donald Trump, who said it could hurt trade talks. Israeli leaders called it a “reward for Hamas.” On the other hand, Palestinian Canadians and advocacy groups like the National Council of Canadian Muslims have welcomed the decision, though they want the government to do more to help those in Gaza.
As September’s UN meeting draws near, Carney is under pressure to balance international goals and regain the trust of Jewish Canadians. For now, the pledge to recognize a Palestinian state has deepened divisions, and many in the Jewish community wonder if their concerns are being heard or if Canada’s long-held values have been cast aside in favour of a new foreign policy direction.
