Canadian lawmakers pass motion to work toward Palestinian state

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) – Lawmakers voted for a motion Monday that would see Canada and its international partners work toward a “just and lasting peace” that would eventually include a Palestinian state.

The motion, introduced in the House of Commons by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), originally called for Canada to recognize the “State of Palestine.”

When it was clear that the motion would not fly, the NDP agreed to an amendment that would eventually see a two-state solution, which was Canada’s official position.

The motion did contain other provisions that included a weapons embargo on sales to Israel, an immediate cease-fire and sanctions on settlers in the West Bank.

The debate, which lasted late into the evening, was non-binding and watered down from the original, but the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), which is firmly in the Palestinian camp, was pleased with the outcome and posted on X that the result was an “historic change for Canada.”

“While we recognize that some would have liked the original motion to stay fully together, we believe that the NDP did the right thing by tabling the original motion and pushing to make sure that Canada voted in favor of Palestine today. That is history,” it said.

The 204-117 vote showed the deep division in the government concerning the Israel-Hamas war that began on Oct. 7 last year.

During the debate, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the Liberal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could not change its policy based on a non-binding vote in the House of Commons.

“We can't change foreign policy based on an opposition motion,” Joly said. “Our position has been clear. It is a position that many G7 foreign ministers have been expressing across the world, which is we need a hostage deal, we need to make sure that we get to a humanitarian cease-fire, humanitarian aid must go into Gaza.”

Due to the late hour, more reaction to the vote was expected Tuesday. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​