Relationship dossier
Canada
Palestine
Relationship assessment
Canadian assistance supports Palestinian development and institution-building, alongside restrictions on dealings with Hamas.
Canada toward Palestine
+25Canada has provided development assistance for Palestinians and supported Palestinian institution-building and security-sector programs. Canadian policy has also restricted direct dealings with Hamas, which Canada designates as a terrorist organization.
Palestine toward Canada
Not assessedOverall relationship
Not assessedHow to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Canada has provided assistance for Palestinian institution-building and supported Palestinian development and security-sector programs. Its policy has also included restrictions on direct dealings with Hamas, which Canada designates as a terrorist organization. The scope of Palestinian government conduct specifically toward Canada is unclear.
Areas of tension
- Canada's restrictions on direct dealings with Hamas, which governs Gaza, shape the limits of Canadian engagement with Palestinian authorities.
Key developments
Canada resumed direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority after suspending it following Hamas's 2006 election victory.
Canada supported Palestinian security-sector development through assistance to Palestinian Authority security institutions.
Major uncertainties
- The extent and implementation of Canadian assistance directed through Palestinian institutions are unclear.
- The scope of Palestinian government cooperation specifically with Canada is unclear.
- Canada's policy toward recognition of Palestine has been subject to change.