Canada Calls Back Diplomats over Palestinian State Bid

Canada on Friday ordered back its heads of mission in Israel and Ramallah, as well as its envoys to the United Nations and Geneva, over Palestine's bid for an upgraded status at the United Nations.

"Canada is deeply disappointed but not surprised by yesterday's result at the United Nations General Assembly," Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said in a statement.

"Our government's position is clear: the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace is through negotiations, not unilateral actions.

"To that end, Canada is bringing its heads of missions in Israel and Ramallah and its permanent representatives to the U.N. in New York and Geneva back to Ottawa temporarily to assess the implications of yesterday's U.N. General Assembly vote and inform Canada's response to it.

"Canada will now review the full range of its bilateral relationship with the Palestinian Authority."

On Thursday, Canada joined Israel and the United States as one of only nine countries opposing Palestine's bid. The U.N. General Assembly backed non-member observer status for Palestine by an overwhelming vote of 138 against nine, with 41 abstentions.