Evidence of meeting #124 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was israel.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Chair, Ottawa Forum on Israel Palestine
Well, we would have to suspend or revisit our Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement, obviously, because we would now recognize the State of Palestine and so on.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I feel as though we should do that already because of the ICJ.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you, Professor Larson.
We now go to MP Hoback for three minutes, please—or to MP Chong.
Go ahead, Mr. Chong.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Thank you.
Professor Musu, you've expressed support for a two-state solution. You've also indicated some nuance that it may not be constructive for the Government of Canada to immediately recognize the State of Palestine. Could you talk a bit more about the conditions you think should be placed on the recognition of a State of Palestine in the current context?
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
This is a complicated question, in the sense that attaching conditions to the recognition of a state is not unheard of. It's something that's been done multiple times.
I think the reason I was being cautious is that I believe that the two-state solution is the only possible solution. The reason I believe that is that I believe that Palestinian nationalism and Jewish nationalism are two sides of the same coin. They are both national movements that aspire to self-determination. In that sense, a two-state solution is the only answer.
I think what is unfortunate is the fact that we're having these conversations following October 7, which opens the door to all these kinds of objections on the motivation and on whether this makes recognition look like a cave-in to terrorism. Why does that matter? If we know that Canada wants to recognize Palestine, we shouldn't really care about the fact that it's—
I'm sorry.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
I have a second quick question.
Canada's most important multilateral membership is the G7.
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
Yes.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
I think most foreign policy experts would agree with that. What would be the impact if Canada became the first G7 country to unilaterally recognize the State of Palestine and none of our other G7 members did the same?
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
I think we can expect that there would be some uncomfortable conversations to be had. It still has to be balanced on whether it is a worthy discomfort if Canada follows its own policy and makes independent foreign policy decisions on a matter of importance for Canada. Discomfort is part of the G7 in general, and this would be one more.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you.
For the last questions, we go to MP Zuberi.
You have three minutes, sir.
October 31st, 2024 / 5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses for being here today by Zoom and in person.
This study is about Canada's advancement of the two-state solution. Our country's long-standing position is that we are here to realize the two-state solution because we support the two-state solution, and that's what this study is about.
Mr. Waxman, you stated that it's important to recognize the State of Palestine now. Do you think that this recognition is contingent on the recognition from other countries if and when Canada were to go ahead with that recognition?
Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Professor of Israel Studies, University of California Los Angeles, As an Individual
No, I don't believe that Canada should wait for other countries. I think other countries, including G7 members like Britain and France, are seriously considering taking this step at this time. In that respect, Canada wouldn't be a complete outlier. Even in the Biden administration, the State Department initiated a study.
I think it would be very much in accordance with this shift, but Canada would position itself in that respect as a leader. I don't think it needs to wait until other countries are willing—
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Certainly, and you spoke previously about how Canada would be a leader.
Professor Larson, can you also answer that question? Is our recognition contingent on any other country?
Chair, Ottawa Forum on Israel Palestine
I think any serious political actor has to be very cautious about the reactions of our trading partners, our international partners. It would be foolish to plunge ahead without doing so. I think Canada should be trying to find like-minded countries to go ahead.
We've made certain initiatives, aligned with like-minded countries. I don't think anybody would seriously recommend an announcement tomorrow without any consultation with allies, but—
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Witnesses spoke about our relationship with the global south. Those are important allies to consider too, wouldn't you say?
Chair, Ottawa Forum on Israel Palestine
Absolutely, our G7 allies are important, but there is a growing movement of the global south. The BRICS is not an inconsiderable development, and we need to be careful as we move forward to maintain our reputation for human rights and international law.
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Thank you.
Mr. Waxman, do you think recognition of the State of Palestine would help to end the war that is currently happening and bring peace back to the region?
Liberal
Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Professor of Israel Studies, University of California Los Angeles, As an Individual
Sadly, I don't think it would end the war in Gaza in the near term—certainly not while the current Israeli government is in power—but I think it would be a significant contribution toward achieving peace in the region.
That's not going to happen overnight. Peace is the goal, and I think this would be a significant and important step to take that would help us move in that direction rather than further away from it, as we've seen over the past year.
Liberal
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
It's moving in the right direction.
Thank you so much.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
That concludes the questions.
Professor Musu, Professor Larson and Professor Waxman, thank you ever so much for your time and for your perspectives. I know I speak on behalf of all members here when I thank you for appearing before our committee.
The meeting stands adjourned.