OTTAWA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday issued a statement on Canada's recognition of the State of Palestine.

According to the statement, Canada does so as part of a coordinated international effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.

"This recognition is firmly aligned with the principles of self-determination and fundamental human rights reflected in the United Nations Charter, and the consistent policy of Canada for generations," said the statement.

The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law, according to the statement.

Its sustained assault in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of civilians, displaced well over one million people, and caused a devastating and preventable famine in violation of international law, read the statement. ■