Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on International Criminal Court’s decision regarding its jurisdiction over West Bank and Gaza

February 7, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Canada strongly supports the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the important work that it does as a key pillar of the rules-based international order. Canada continues to respect the independence of its judges and of the ICC Prosecutor.

“Canada is firmly committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We continue to support the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel. The creation of a Palestinian state can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties.

“Until such negotiations succeed, Canada’s longstanding position remains that it does not recognize a Palestinian state and therefore does not recognize its accession to international treaties, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Canada has communicated this position to the Court on various occasions.”