Palestinian State Recognition Backed: POLL

Published 08/09/2025 · Updated 08/09/2025

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Canada’s move to recognize a Palestinian state has been welcomed by some and rejected by others – U.S. President Donald Trump being one of those occupying the latter view.

The Canadian government’s decision to change its position on this issue, regardless of its motivations, are aligned with the shifting of opinion among the Canadian population.

New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds three-in-five say that Canada should recognize a Palestinian state (61%), with the same number agreeing that Hamas must be removed for this to be a realistic path forward (63%).

This follows nearly two years of shifting sentiment which has found the Canadian public becoming more concerned about the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza than the initial devastation faced by Israelis.

When the conflict began, Israel (28%) and “both sides equally” (31%) were chosen as the primary focus of Canadian sympathy, with 18 per cent choosing the Palestinians. That latter option has now doubled to 37 per cent, with 27 per cent saying both sides and one-in-five saying Israel (19%).

Much of this is driven by what Canadians see as a moral outrage – the humanitarian crisis that has been created. Amid widespread reports of starvation and hunger-related deaths, two-thirds (64%) now say that what they see is a moral outrage, rather than overblown (18%) or something they’re unsure about (18%).

Reportedly, 22,000 loaded aid trucks are awaiting passage into Gaza, leading some to accuse Israel of deliberately obstructing aid. Three-in-five Canadians (61%) agree with this characterization.

More Key Findings:

Many Canadians also believe that Hamas is stealing aid, as Israel has accused. Nearly half (46%) agree that this is happening, though recent reports from the U.N. and Israeli military officials say this is not the case.

Despite growing criticism, three-quarters of Canadians (74%) still say Israel has the right to exist and to defend itself. This has changed little from November 2023 (78%).

Many are pessimistic about what Palestinian statehood recognition would mean in a practical sense. Two-in-five (40%) say it will make no difference to the civilians of Gaza, while others say it will make a minor (25%) or major one (14%).

Amid scrutiny of its embargo on military goods to Israel in recent weeks, a majority of Canadians say Canada must ensure the embargo is upheld (54%). One-in-five (20%) would end the embargo, while others don’t know enough to weigh on in the debate (27%).

Link to the poll here: www.angusreid.org/