US President Donald Trump believes recognising Palestinian statehood would be rewarding the militant group Hamas and he does not intend to do that, a White House official said on Wednesday, after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his country's decision on the issue.
Carney told reporters Canada intends to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN in September.
“As the president stated, he would be rewarding Hamas if he recognises a Palestinian state and he doesn’t think they should be rewarded,” a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “So he is not going to do that. Trump’s focus is on getting people fed [in Gaza].”
The official did not respond to a question on whether the US was given advance notice of Carney's announcement.
Reuters
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