Canada and UK Recognize Palestinian Statehood
A conversation on Palestine, Israel, and the new diplomatic divide
This week, our planned interview fell through. But given the sizeable shift in foreign policy from Canada and the UK this week, it odd not covering this in our usual issues scan. So, we turned the mics back on and recorded this episode.
For context, in recent days, Canada, the UK, Australia, Portugal, France, and others formally recognized the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly. It’s a historic development—one that represents a dramatic shift in tone and policy, particularly for countries like Canada.
For us Percy and I, it also represents a red line.
This episode is not business-as-usual. We don’t come with jokes or beer reviews. We engage in a direct, difficult, and heartfelt discussion on what this diplomatic recognition means—for the peace process, for Israel’s place in the world, and for Jewish communities watching these developments unfold with deep concern.
🕊 What we talk about:
The sharp contrast between past and present Canadian policy on the Middle East
Why recognizing Palestine now—without negotiations, conditions, or hostages released—feels like a reward for October 7th
The legacy of the Oslo Accords and what’s been lost since
Legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people—and the failure of their own leadership to deliver peace
Criticisms of the Netanyahu government, both domestic and international
The rise in antisemitism in Canada, the UK, and beyond
Why diplomatic isolation may hurt Israel long-term—and embolden its enemies
The risk of performative politics overtaking substantive peacebuilding
“If you’re being praised by those who took hostages, you might want to rethink your foreign policy.”
-Andrew Percy
We understand this is a deeply emotional and often polarizing topic. We do our best in this conversation to engage it honestly, with respect for the gravity of the moment and an openness to different views.
We’ll return to this issue in a future episode—with expert voices to provide further perspective.
—Joseph