Sep
National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) Commends The Important Step Taken at the Canadian Government's Foreign Affairs Committee on Recognizing Palestinian Statehood
Written by National Council of Canadian MuslimsFor months, after months of advocacy by Canadians of every political, cultural, and religious stripe, [National Council of Canadian Muslims] NCCM was pleased to see the Foreign Affairs Committee take a positive step by adopting a motion that supported the “recognition of a viable and independent state of Palestine” including a study on how the government could best move towards recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Canada has been out of lockstep with the international community in the recognition of Palestinian statehood. Today’s motion represented a first step on Canada coming into alignment with the international community on that appropriate recognition.
The Liberal-drafted motion was supported by the [Bloc Quebecois] BQ and the [New Democratic Party] NDP.
“We’ve been calling for all parties to advance towards recognition of statehood for years,” said Stephen Brown, CEO of NCCM, “In our view, advancing towards justice and peace for all in the area means recognition of the right of everyone to live free, including the Palestinian people. This is a non-partisan view. While we were saddened not to see all parties support the motion, we still note this as a positive step forward”.
NCCM further calls upon the government to fast-track its study on Palestinian statehood, and to move to immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood.