Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that Canada will officially recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, following similar moves by the United Kingdom and France.

“Canada has long been committed to a two-state solution, an independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security,” said Carney during a press conference.

The prime minister added that Canada “condemns the fact that the Israeli government has allowed a catastrophe to unfold in Gaza,” and said the decision was made “because the Palestinian Authority has committed to lead much needed reform.”