Canada and allies regret Palestinian election delay

OTTAWA — Canada, France, the United Kingdom and Australia expressed deep "regret" Tuesday over the postponement of Palestinian presidential and legislative elections.

The votes were set to happen next month, but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has delayed them until September 2027.

In a media statement, Canada and its allies said the delay deprives Palestinians of the chance to vote and noted that elections are an important element of the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reform.

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"We call on the Palestinian Authority to reconsider the decision to postpone elections and to take the necessary steps to hold legislative and presidential elections, without further delay," the statement said.

The last Palestinian legislative election was held in 2006, and Hamas took over Gaza in a brief civil war the following year.

The executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization said over the weekend that conditions in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are not conducive to holding elections and that Israel has not allowed election materials and international observers to enter Gaza.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called that "another ridiculous lie" in a post on X.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada's intention to formally recognize a Palestinian state in July 2025, a move that was predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to reforms including holding elections in 2026 "in which Hamas can play no part."

Canadian government officials said at the time that Abbas had committed to those reforms, but the Palestinian Authority cautioned last fall that an election would not be possible until a year after the end of the conflict in Gaza.

The statement released Tuesday acknowledged "significant challenges and impediments" to the ability to conduct elections in a manner consistent with international standards.

It noted the Central Elections Commission had advanced practical preparations to address those challenges and called on Israel to refrain from actions that could impede elections.

"Strengthening Palestinian governance is essential to continue building the institutional foundations of a viable two-state solution, which is the only path to lasting peace and security for both Israel and Palestine," the statement said.

The statement added that Hamas, which Canada has designated as a terrorist group, can have no role in future Palestinian governance.

Carney's office and Global Affairs Canada did not immediately respond to questions about what the postponement will mean for Canada's recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Canada "should not be giving aid to a government that's breaking its promise" to hold elections.

"I don't know why we would be sending Canadian tax dollars from people who can't afford to pay their bills to a dictatorial, terrorist regime like that," he said at a press conference in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said Canada and its allies are implying the Palestinian Authority has broken one of its commitments underlying the recognition of statehood, "yet the Canadian government offers no indication of what consequences the PA will face, while suggesting that Israel is somehow to blame."

The Israeli government has been critical of Canada's recognition of Palestine. Israeli Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed said last month the Palestinian Authority is corrupt and not serious about living in peace alongside Israel.

A ceasefire deal has been in effect in Gaza for a year, but Human Rights Watch reports the region is still experiencing ongoing violence and serious problems with obtaining food, water and other aid.

With files from The Canadian Press, CBC News and CityNews