Canada and Malta to recognize Palestinian state, joining France and possibly Britain
United Nations, Jul 31 (AP): Canada and Malta announced Wednesday they will recognise the state of Palestine in September, joining France and the United Kingdom in stepping up pressure to end the nearly 80-year Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement after a Cabinet meeting. Christopher Cutajar, the permanent secretary at Malta's Foreign Ministry, made his country's announcement earlier at the UN General Assembly's meeting on a two-state solution to the conflict, which was extended to a third day because of the high number of countries wanting to speak.
Cutajar said Malta has long supported self-determination for the Palestinian people, and “as responsible actors, we have a duty to work to translate the concept of a two-state solution from theory into practice.”
“It is for this reason that the government of Malta has taken the principled decision to formally recognise the state of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September,” he said.
Carney said Canada will also make its announcement at the annual gathering of world leaders, which starts September 23. He said the intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority “holding general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarise the Palestinian state.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made those promises in a June 10 letter, and it's unclear what more Carney is seeking.
Malta says it wants a 'lasting peace' in Mideast
Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela earlier announced the decision by his country, a former British colony, to recognise a Palestinian state on Facebook, saying it is part of the nation's efforts “for a lasting peace in the Middle East.”
The Mediterranean island nation and European Union member will join more than 145 countries, including over a dozen European nations, in recognising the state of Palestine.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced ahead of this week's meeting that his country will recognise the state of Palestine at the annual gathering of world leaders at the 193-member General Assembly, which starts September 23.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that Britain would recognise the state of Palestine before September's meeting, but would refrain if Israel agrees to a ceasefire and long-term peace process in the next eight weeks.
France and Britain are the biggest Western powers and, with Canada, three members of the Group of Seven major industrialised nations have now made such a pledge.
Israel opposes a two-state solution and is boycotting the meeting along with its closest ally, the United States.
Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, on Tuesday sharply criticised about 125 countries participating in the conference and new recognitions of a Palestinian state, saying “there are those in the world who fight terrorists and extremist forces and then there are those who turn a blind eye to them or resort to appeasement.”
“While our hostages are languishing in Hamas tunnels in Gaza, these countries choose to engage in hollow statements instead of investing their efforts in their release,” Danon said. “This is hypocrisy and a waste of time that legitimises terrorism and distances any chance of regional progress.”
Malta's Cutajar countered that "recognition is not merely symbolic – it is a concrete step towards the realisation of a just and lasting peace.”
Quick action is urged
High-level representatives at the UN conference on Tuesday urged Israel to commit to a Palestinian state and gave “unwavering support” to a two-state solution, and they urged all countries that haven't recognised the state of Palestine to do so quickly.
The seven-page “New York Declaration” sets out a phased plan to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing war in Gaza. The plan would culminate with an independent, demilitarised Palestine living side by side peacefully with Israel, and their eventual integration into the wider Mideast region.
A separate one-page statement titled the “New York Call” approved late Tuesday by 15 Western nations says they have recognised, “expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration ... to recognise the state of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-state solution, and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call.”
It included six that have recognised the state of Palestine and nine, including Malta and Canada, that had not. The seven that still haven't are Andorra, Australia, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino.
Saudi Arabia's UN ambassador, Abdulaziz Alwasil, suspended the meeting “until further notice” after the 128th and final speaker, saying an outcome document has been sent to all 193 UN member nations. States have until the beginning of September to endorse the document.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
