On Sept. 21, Canada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, officially recognized Palestine as a state, advocating for a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel. The UK, Australia, and France have also recently announced their recognition of a Palestinian state.
Carney’s speech on the matter adhered to Canada’s longstanding support for this solution as a means for peace—except, now, Canada formally recognizes both of the states involved. Recognition of Palestine by Canada and other nations creates space for the United Nations (UN) and its member countries to legally oppose Israel, opening the door for Israel to face consequences for breaching the UN Charter.
On Sept. 16, a UN Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, citing the scale of Israel’s killings of, blocking of aid to, and forced displacement of Palestinians in its 72-page report. The inquiry states that the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, is legally responsible for the genocide.
Amidst these updates, McGill’s Media Relations Office (MRO) maintained that the university will not divest.
“The analysis by the [Committee on Sustainability and Social Responsibility] confirmed that the University had no exposure to companies involved in the production of controversial weapons at the time of the review [on July 8, 2024],” the MRO wrote to The Tribune.
In an interview with The Tribune, a representative from Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) who wished to remain unnamed expressed that increasing international recognition of Palestine is an overdue show of support.
“It’s so incredibly dangerous for [Canada] to be doing this so late in the game, and […] it’s also such an easy way for the Canadian government to clear their conscience of genocide-enabling and still continue to allow the promotion of arms, [and] still continue to [not take a stance on] the [Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions] movement,” the representative said.
The representative also emphasized that IJV’s goals remain the same: For McGill to divest from companies complicit in Israel’s genocide, and to acknowledge the atrocities that have occurred against Palestinians.
“[Student] demands have stayed the same throughout this entire genocide, and [in] the 75 years before that, and IJV […] has been in coalition with [Students for Palestine’s Honour and Resistance], Law Students for Palestine, all of these other groups, to reinforce this message,” they stated.
