OTTAWA — Anita Anand, Canada’s foreign minister, said Wednesday that while the humanitarian situation in Gaza is “absolutely intolerable and unacceptable,” Ottawa does not agree with the U.N. Commission of Inquiry that Israel’s conduct amounts to genocide. She also said that Canada’s recognition of Palestine would be a “step-by-step process.”
The U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry found that Israeli authorities committed acts meeting the legal thresholds of genocide under international law, citing large-scale civilian harm, conditions preventing births, and destruction calculated to bring about physical destruction. Israel strongly rejected the findings.
Anand told iPolitics Ottawa supports an immediate ceasefire and insists on strong humanitarian access. But she emphasized that Canada is not ready to use the term genocide, preferring legal determinations through proper international courts.
Canada’s push toward recognizing Palestinian statehood has been gaining momentum. Prime Minister Mark Carney previously announced that Canada plans to recognize the State of Palestine in September at the United Nations, contingent on reforms in Palestinian governance, including general elections and assurances about the role of Hamas.
Anand’s “step-by-step” approach reflects concerns among pro-Israel and Jewish communities about what recognition would legally and politically mean. Some support the shift as demonstrating Canadian willingness to engage, while others caution that recognition should not undercut Israel’s security.
Critics of the U.N. commission’s report and of Canada’s potential recognition of Palestine have pointed to the commission’s longstanding anti-Israel bias, noting that its accusations of genocide and other alleged crimes ignore the context of Hamas terrorism and Israel’s legal right to self-defence. Legal scholars and Jewish advocacy groups stress that Israel has not been found guilty of any war crimes or genocide by any international court.
Meanwhile, human rights and aid groups welcomed the U.N. findings and urged Canada and other governments to move beyond statements. They call for increased pressure to open humanitarian corridors, ensure aid delivery, protect civilians, and hold individuals accountable under international law.
Public opinion in Canada appears divided. Polls show rising numbers who believe genocide is occurring in Gaza. But many Canadians continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself, especially given the October 2023 Hamas attacks.
For Jewish and pro-Israel communities, Anand’s statement is seen as a partial relief: condemnation of humanitarian suffering without legal overreach. They see the “step-by-step” recognition path as safer, allowing for conditions to be set and ensuring that Israel’s security and moral standing are not compromised.
This article is based on verified information from iPolitics, Reuters, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Commission of Inquiry report, and polls from the Angus Reid Institute.