Michael Higgins: Mahmoud Abbas played Mark Carney for a fool

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s threat to hold the Palestinian Authority “to account” for not holding elections this year is not a joke, but it’s certainly laughable.

Just what is Carney and his Liberal government going to do? Unrecognize Palestine? Ask for our many millions of dollars back? Call Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and tell him he’s being a very naughty boy?

Carney had been prime minister for a mere four months when, in July 2025, he announced that he intended to recognize the state of Palestine. There is a certain arrogance in a neophyte politician making such a significant and bold decision.

Perhaps he was being impetuous to please the pro-Palestinian faction of his party, or because it was the cause du jour, or to bolster his credentials and appear decisive.

Whatever his reasons, it certainly wasn’t smart. But it did help those who are intent on demonizing Israel, while encouraging the pro-Palestinian marches and the air of antisemitism that comes with them.

And with recognition came money — lots of it. In June, Canada pledged $100 million to help international organizations and NGOs deliver assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

In September, Carney announced $100 million more. In total, Canada has now pledged $600 million to the Palestinians since Hamas committed the October 7 massacre.

In May, Carney had a phone call with Abbas, in which he “underscored Canada’s unwavering support for a negotiated two-state solution” and conveyed the importance of further reforms to “strengthen accountability, governance and democratic institutions, in which Hamas can play no part,” according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Carney’s recognition of Palestine was predicated on several conditions, including Abbas holding elections. But to absolutely no one’s surprise, Abbas reneged on the promised legislative and presidential elections.

The Palestinian Authority decided to cancel next month’s elections and to re-schedule them for September next year. But there’s no guarantee they will go ahead, and every likelihood that they won’t.

Abbas doesn’t appear too keen on elections. He was elected in 2005 for a four-year term, but 21 years later he shows no inclination of stepping down.

Carney is now left looking weak and powerless after being outfoxed by Abbas.

The prime minister demanded three conditions for recognizing Palestine: reform of the PA, elections in 2026 and demilitarization. Not one of those conditions has been met.

In fact, Israeli news sources say Hamas officials have sent a warning that they are planning another October 7-style attack, and that the terror group has no intention of disarming.

According to reports, the Israel Defence Forces believes Hamas has repaired its tunnel systems, rearmed and has a force of between 30,000-40,000 people.

Recognizing the state of Palestine was part of “building the promise of a peaceful future for both the state of Palestine and the State of Israel,” Carney said last year. Well, things aren’t looking that peaceful.

The PA had provided “direct commitments” on holding elections, said the prime minister. Those commitments, like Carney’s conditions, are now worthless.

Making matters worse, our government seems to think that even though the Palestinian Authority has not held elections in more than two decades, the current delay is somehow Israel’s fault.

Foreign Minister Anita Anand issued a joint statement alongside her counterparts in France, Australia and the United Kingdom last week, expressing deep regret and disappointment that the elections had been postponed.

They asked Abbas to reconsider and pointed out that, “An entire generation of Palestinians has reached adulthood without the opportunity to choose their elected representatives.”

But astonishingly, they then blamed Israel, seemly accepting the Palestinian excuse that the elections were postponed because of “obstacles ⁠posed by Israeli measures,” by saying, “We reiterate our call on Israel to refrain from actions that could impede the conduct of elections, including the practical arrangements necessary for all Palestinians to participate.”

Canada has recognized Palestine, given out hundreds of millions of dollars, led an international pile-on against Israel and very, very nicely asked Abbas to hold elections. And still nothing. It’s almost as if the PA president doesn’t give a hoot about what Carney and the rest of the world thinks, as long as he stays in power.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Carney said he was holding the PA “to account” but didn’t say how or when or what he would do.

“There are many things that are not working within Palestine and there are many who are responsible for that,” Carney said.

Also not working is recognizing Palestine, which achieved nothing good but gave succour to terrorists, antisemites and protesters.

Jordan Peterson, the psychologist and author, likes to say that there is no situation so bad that it can’t be made worse by people’s stupidity. Yeah, right.

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