The New Democratic Party (left-leaning) has once again urged the liberal government in Ottawa to recognize the State of Palestine, warning that a future government formed by the Conservative Party of Canada will not uphold international law in the Middle East.

Today, in this regard, MP Heather McPherson, the spokesperson for the New Democratic Party on foreign affairs, stated, "If we go to elections in the coming weeks or months, and if the result is a Conservative government, then this will not happen," referring to Canada's recognition of the State of Palestine.

In response to this statement, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said this afternoon that now is not the right time for Canada to take such a step.

However, McPherson accused the liberals of lacking "moral courage and political will" to make greater efforts to achieve Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's stated goal of a two-state solution, where Israel and a Palestinian state live peacefully side by side.

McPherson added that Canada must recognize the State of Palestine before any upcoming early federal elections.

It is noted that the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, which forms the official opposition in the House of Commons, has been leading polls for many months, and intends to propose tomorrow a vote of no confidence in the Trudeau government, which is a minority government.

Last week, the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois announced that they would not support the Conservatives' proposal aimed at collapsing the government.

McPherson continued today that the Conservatives are supporters of Israel without criticizing it.

"We heard from Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives that they have no interest in international law, and they have no interest in protecting the rights of Palestinians," McPherson added.

For his part, MP Michael Chong, the Conservatives' foreign affairs spokesperson, wrote in a statement that Israel is defending itself against terrorism practiced by both the Palestinian Hamas movement and the Lebanese "Hezbollah" organization.

"The Conservatives recognize that Israel is a democratic state defending itself in a struggle between democracy and increasing tyranny," Chong wrote, "there is no question about which side Canada should stand on."

Joly again urges Canadians in Lebanon to leave "immediately."

When asked today about the conditions Canada needs for recognizing the State of Palestine, Joly said that this is still being determined.

"We need to ensure that we recognize the State of Palestine at the right time," Joly added, noting that Hamas still governs the Gaza Strip and holds Israeli hostages while opposing Benjamin Netanyahu's government in Israel's two-state solution.

"We are working with like-minded countries to ensure we define what the conditions are for the right timing," Joly told reporters on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, said that Ottawa is trying to help end the conflict in the Gaza Strip while also preventing further violence in Lebanon.