Carney says 'many' are responsible for problems in Palestine as elections are postponed

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday that "many" are responsible for problems in Palestine after the Palestinian Authority postponed legislative and presidential elections initially scheduled for next month. Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, Carney said "there are many things that are not working" within Palestine and "there are many who are responsible for that." Asked whether Canada has any plans beyond a foreign ministers' statement of deep regret to press the Palestinian Authority on its international commitments, Carney said Canada is supporting efforts to hold "free and fair elections" in Palestine and will continue to do so. He said Ottawa will also continue providing humanitarian aid to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza. "We have far more resources dedicated to support than are able to be delivered to Gaza," he said. The remarks followed a decree issued Saturday by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rescheduling legislative elections for Sept. 11, 2027. The move formally rescinded an earlier order that had scheduled parliamentary elections for Nov. 28, 2026, which would have marked the first parliamentary vote in 20 years. The presidential decree instructs Palestinians across the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip to participate in simultaneous votes for the presidency of the State of Palestine and members of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Palestinian authorities said the postponement followed a decision by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), along with consultations with political factions, establishing a consensus over obstacles posed by Israeli measures and the need to secure viable political, security and field conditions for free, fair and inclusive elections.