Canada's Parliament Passes Amended NDP Motion on Palestine Recognition

Softened Motion No Longer Calls for Immediate Recognition

Canada's House of Commons has passed a softened NDP motion that no longer calls for the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine. The original motion, which was put forward by the federal New Democrats, sparked controversy and prompted a last-minute deal between the Liberals and the NDP to amend its language.

Key Changes to the Motion

The amended motion removed the explicit call for Canada to recognize the State of Palestine. Instead, it now expresses support for a "just and lasting peace" between Israel and Palestine, based on a two-state solution.

The changes also replaced the call for the recognition of a Palestinian state with a call for "the implementation of a just and lasting peace process" that would lead to the establishment of a two-state solution.

Behind the Scenes Deal-Making

The amended motion was the result of negotiations between the Liberals and the NDP. The Liberals had initially opposed the original motion, citing concerns that it would undermine Canada's long-standing position of not recognizing the State of Palestine without a negotiated settlement.

However, the NDP argued that the motion was necessary to send a message of support to the Palestinian people and to pressure Israel to end its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Impact of the Motion

The passage of the amended motion is a symbolic victory for the NDP and its supporters. It reflects growing public support for the Palestinian cause in Canada and puts pressure on the government to take a more active role in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

However, it is important to note that the motion is non-binding and does not obligate the government to take any specific action. The government has stated that it will continue to follow its long-standing policy of not recognizing the State of Palestine without a negotiated settlement.