OTTAWA — The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs publicly criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney after his recent conversation with the Amir of Qatar, saying the prime minister failed to press for the release of Israeli hostages, demand Hamas disarmament, or insist that Palestinian Authority commitments be fulfilled.
CIJA called on Canadians to urge Ottawa to “change course” on planned recognition of Palestinian statehood.
The Prime Minister’s office released a readout of the call saying Canada and Qatar discussed regional security and ongoing diplomatic efforts. The state-level exchange, hosted by Qatar as a key interlocutor in Gaza mediation, acknowledged mutual interest in stability but prompted concern among Jewish and pro-Israel groups who expected explicit demands regarding hostages and militant disarmament.
CIJA’s statement noted that recognizing Palestinian statehood without concrete steps to secure hostage releases and to remove Hamas’s military capabilities would reward terrorism and undermine prospects for a sustainable peace.
“We urge the Government of Canada to change course,” CIJA said in its public release and action alert calling on Canadians to contact their leaders.
The controversy has a broader diplomatic context. Ottawa has recently signaled plans to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations, a move that Germany and other partners have weighed carefully.
Berlin said it would withhold recognition because conditions for a viable state do not yet exist, a position CIJA referenced in urging Ottawa to reconsider.
Security experts warn that any diplomatic step perceived as rewarding armed groups will complicate efforts to secure hostages and to transfer authority to credible, demilitarized Palestinian institutions.
Hamas has publicly resisted disarmament unless statehood and other conditions are met, a stance that has repeatedly stalled mediated deals.
Carney has publicly stated Canada’s opposition to Hamas violence in prior remarks, calling for the immediate release of hostages and for Hamas to disarm. But advocates say rhetorical condemnations must be matched by diplomatic leverage in bilateral talks and multilateral venues, especially with regional mediators such as Qatar. They argue Ottawa should insist on verifiable steps from Palestinian leaders before formal recognition.
For many in Canada’s Jewish community and among pro-Israel voters, the episode sharpens political stakes. CIJA and allied groups are mobilizing constituents to press the prime minister for a policy that prioritizes the hostages and security guarantees over a symbolic vote at the United Nations.
The coming days will test whether Ottawa adjusts its approach. If Canada proceeds without securing enforceable Palestinian commitments on disarmament and hostage release, critics say the move will risk legitimizing militants and further imperiling Israelis still being held.
Supporters of a two-state pathway counter that recognition can be a diplomatic tool to incentivize reforms, but that argument hinges on hard guarantees many say are absent.
This article is based on verified information from the Government of Qatar’s official readout, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, and reporting by Reuters.