Harper Assures Jewish Community That Canada Will Support Israel
Posted October 19, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper likely gained a political edge in the Jewish community Wednesday night after a spirited speech at a B’nai Brith dinner event.
During his speech, Harper maintained that the Canadian government will never take a neutral stance regarding Israel’s fight against terrorism and promised the nation’s “steadfast support, encouragement and friendship” to the Jewish state.
“When it comes to dealing with a war between Israel and a terrorist organization, this country and this government cannot and will never be neutral,” Harper said.
“Those who seek to destroy the Jews, who seek to destroy Israel, will … ultimately seek to destroy us all. It is why Canada’s new government has reacted with speed and spoken with clarity on the recent events in the Middle East.”
Just days ago Harper accused Liberal leadership candidates of being anti-Israel, making an unveiled criticism of front-runner Michael Ignatieff, who is on the record as saying that Israel had committed a war crime with its attack on Lebanon.
On Wednesday, Harper accused the Liberals of “mercilessly” attacking the government’s support of Israel.
“We are restoring Canada to its traditional and true role: principled leadership in world affairs,” he said.
“Our approach to the Middle East, as elsewhere, has been guided by our values: freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the uncompromising opposition to terrorism.”
“These, my friends, are not new values.”
