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The Palestinian Authority, which controls the government in the West Bank, has promised elections but no dates have been set, and it has not yet met any of the other conditions.

In an interview with the Star ahead of a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly later this month, Anand said having two viable states is a necessity to end the war that has raged since Hamas fighters based in Gaza attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel responded with a full-scale attack on the Palestinian territory.

“The only way to achieve peace for both Israelis and Palestinians is through a two-state solution,” she said Wednesday. “Regrettably, before our very eyes, the prospects for a two-state solution have been eroded.”

This summer, Canada committed to recognizing a Palestinian state alongside several other Western countries. Anand said all of those countries are pushing the Palestinian Authority to reform.

“We understand that while these reforms may not be in place at the moment that we are in New York, we have seen progress towards achieving these reforms and we will continue to hold their feet to the fire,” she said.

Anand said recognizing Palestine doesn’t mean the Canadian government will establish full diplomatic relations, and that it will hold back if the Palestinian Authority doesn’t live up to its commitments.

“Recognition is one step. This will be a step-by-step process,” she said. “All of the discretion rests with the country granting the recognition, and we will hold on to that and we’ll need to see reforms coming into place before any normalization of relations occurs.”

In a statement, Noah Shack the CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs,��said Anand’s plans to hold back full normalization of relations is an acknowledgment that the government’s conditions have not been met and Canada should not recognize Palestine.�� ��

“Recognition of Palestinian statehood has rewarded Hamas and emboldened extremists, and undermined efforts to secure the release of the 48 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.” he said. “The Palestinian Authority must be held accountable, demonstrating measurable change on the ground.”

On Tuesday, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory said that

Asked if she viewed the commission’s finding as accurate, Anand didn’t answer directly but said question of whether a genocide is taking place is before the International Court of Justice.

She said there should be a full ceasefire and more humanitarian aid should be flowing into Gaza.

“The situation facing Palestinians on the ground is intolerable and unacceptable and we oppose Israel’s expanded military operation,” she said, referring to Israeli forces’ push into Gaza City this week.

She said Canada is not waiting for the international court to act, and is supplying hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and has sanctioned extremist settlers, including two Israeli cabinet ministers.��