Harper to Oppose Palestinian Statehood Bid

As expected.

Harper confirmed this weekend that Canada will be opposing the Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations General Assembly. After Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said he would ask the UN for statehood recognition next week, Harper said the bid was unilateral and unhelpful at establishing long-term peace. Canada would, however, support a two-state solution that results from a negotiated settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird will travel with Harper to the United Nations in New York next week to speak on his behalf. Harper says his trip to the UN is primarily to discuss Libya and child health policies, though a massive diplomatic stand-off may have something to do with it.