OTTAWA โ The Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Minister Anita Anand to reconsider Canadaโs recognition of a Palestinian state, arguing that the Palestinian Authority does not seek peaceful coexistence with Israel and that recognition would effectively underwrite a system that incentivizes terror, the foundation said in a formal letter.
Andrea Spindel, CAEFโs executive director, framed the appeal in stark terms. The letter, which CAEF posted publicly and which has been reported in national outlets, says the PA โincentivizes and rewardsโ terrorist activity by maintaining payments to imprisoned attackers and to families of attackers. The foundation cited recent reporting and watchdog material documenting the so-called pay for slay program and cases in which released militants are reported to have acquired substantial wealth.
The request comes after Prime Minister Carney reiterated support for a two-state solution during a United Nations meeting in September and after Canadaโs broader shift toward recognizing Palestinian statehood earlier this year. CAEF argues that Ottawaโs policy change is premature and urges reconsideration in light of the PAโs behavior and statements by senior PA figures.
CAEF singled out public remarks by Jibril Rajoub, secretary general of the Fatah Central Committee, as evidence that top PA officials are moving toward closer alignment with Hamas. The foundation cited translations and local reporting that quote Rajoub calling for political and organizational rapprochement with Hamas under PLO frameworks, a development CAEF says contradicts assurances by Palestinian interlocutors to Western governments.
Spindelโs letter also relied on material from Palestinian Media Watch and related monitoring groups that document celebratory language in some PA educational and media outlets regarding October 7 and other acts of violence. The foundation said such reporting demonstrates that PA institutions continue to spread narratives that glorify violence and that recognition would reward a regime that has not repudiated those narratives.
CAEF further argued that Western donors and governments have for years accepted a dual narrative in which the PA publicly condemns terrorism while privately tolerating or even praising attacks in key forums. The foundation said that the apparent public embrace of unity between Fatah and Hamas and continuing payments to prisoners and their families show that the PAโs reform pledges are unreliable.
The government of Prime Minister Carney has said its recognition policy is tied to conditions, including governance reforms and the exclusion of Hamas from future governing arrangements. Ottawa has framed recognition as supporting a negotiated two-state outcome contingent on steps by Palestinian leaders. CAEF rejected that conditional framing and urged an immediate reversal unless and until demonstrable policy changes occur.
Experts and diplomats contacted for comment note that recognition debates often weigh normative and practical considerations. Supporters of recognition say it can create diplomatic leverage and open channels for reform and humanitarian assistance. Critics warn that recognition without enforceable benchmarks can entrench actors who undermine peace. CAEFโs letter falls squarely in the latter camp.
The CAEF appeal asks Ottawa to examine evidence of PA incitement, documented payments to convicted attackers, and recent public statements by senior PA officials before proceeding with any formal recognition. It calls on Canadian leaders to prioritize the safety of Jewish Canadians and to avoid policies the foundation views as rewarding terror.
