Update: Stephen Harper out as Canadian Prime Minister. Israel has lost a great ally. Oct. 20, 2015

Stephen Harper - Canadian Prime Minister elected out Oct. 19, 2015

Article published below printed before the election results came in.

Canadian Elections Could Spell Doom for Israel as “Anti-Israel” Candidates Gain Ground

By Raphael Poch October 19, 2015 , 11:30 am  Breaking Israel News

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)

(Photo: Jared Grove/ Wiki Commons)

On Monday, October 19th, the Canadian parliament will hold elections, possibly jeopardizing the pro-Israel stance of its government. The Conservative-led Canadian government has been one of Israel’s best friends for nine years, standing up for Israel time and again in international bodies such as the United Nations, as well as the G8, under the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Breaking Israel News spoke with Ilan Mann, a Conservative party activist working on the campaign of an incumbent MP (Member of Parliament) for Thornhill, which has a very strong Jewish representation. Mann described why it is so important for people who care about Israel, Jews and non-Jews alike, to vote for the Conservative Party of Canada.

“The Conservative government’s record on Israel has been second to none, both in Canadian history, and in the international community,” he explained. “This is represented clearly by the fact that several Israeli and Canadian publications have commented that Harper is ‘Israel’s best friend.’”

In January 2014, Israel honored Harper by giving him the “Key to the Knesset” in thanks for his friendship. Harper, in an address to the Knesset, told the Israeli people and the world that Canada will stand with Israel through fire and water.

Harper’s “morality doctrine” has been the lynch pin of his government’s foreign policy for the Middle East, often garnering bad press for Canada. When Canada’s bid for a coveted seat on the United Nations Security Council was rejected, the Conservative government’s Israel stance was cited by its critics as a possible explanation why.

“The Conservative Party of Canada recognizes Israel as a beacon of freedom in a region plagued by oppression, tyranny and terror, which is why we will continue to stand with Israel on the world stage,” said Mann. Indeed, the Harper government has not flinched from the proverbial slap in the face it received from the United Nations, even going so far as to harshly criticize the international body by calling it a “debate club for dictators.”

It seems that other parties vying for control over the Canadian parliament are looking to appear strong on Israel as well. According to Mann, “This election, every party has tried to emulate the Conservative Party’s principled position on the Canada-Israel relationship.”

However, Mann added, this newly adopted stance may not be as genuine as it seems for the Liberal or National Democratic Party (NDP). “The reality is, that actions speak louder than words,” Mann said. “The Conservative Party is the only party that is not running, and will not run, a single anti-Israel or anti-Semitic candidate.”

“The Conservative Party will never take the middle road when it comes to the only democracy in the Middle East,” he added.

Mann said that the track records of other candidates running for office speak for themselves. “The NDP ranks are ripe with anti-Israel candidates, including star candidate Andrew Cash, who has spoken in favor of the BDS movement,” he pointed out.

Mann also noted that the Liberal party’s list features anti-Israel MPs. “The Liberal ticket includes Omar Alghabra, former head of the Canadian Arab Federation, who has refused to condemn Palestinian suicide bombers as terrorists, doesn’t believe that Hamas is committed to the elimination of Israel and said that Israel’s actions in defense of its citizen during last year’s operation in Gaza were ‘blind and cruel’,” he told Breaking Israel News.

Mann compared the empty rhetoric of other parties to the Conservative Party’s consistently pro-Israel actions. “Meanwhile, the Conservatives have spoken publicly against the BDS movement, have stood by Israel in the face of rockets and ongoing terror, and defunded the Canadian Arab Federation for their support of terrorism and promotion of anti-Semitism,” he said.

“When it comes to the question of the Canada-Israel relationship, there has never, in our short history as friend and allies, been a starker choice,” he concluded.

Canadians go to the polls on Monday, October 19th, in what is shaping up to be one of the closest elections in Canadian history. According to current election polls, the Liberal party has a strong lead. What this will mean for Canada’s close relationship with Israel remains to be seen.

Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/51515/israels-best-friend-at-risk-as-canadian-conservative-party-faces-elections-jerusalem/#B2ERHbbzXH0cmxiu.99

Canada Unequivocally Backs Israel, Urges Others To Do So

Wednesday, July 16, 2014 |  Israel Today Staff

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Given his behavior over the past several years vis-a-vis the Middle East conflict, it will come as little surprise that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been the most clear and unwavering among world leaders in his support for Israel as it combats the Gaza rocket threat.

“The indiscriminate rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel are terrorist acts, for which there is no justification,” Harper said in a statement issued this week. “It is evident that Hamas is deliberately using human shields to further terror in the region.”

Whitewashing Hamas or drawing moral equivalence between it and the Jewish state will only prolong the conflict, Harper warned fellow world leaders.

“Failure by the international community to condemn these reprehensible actions would encourage these terrorists to continue their appalling actions,” he insisted, concluding with an open call for Canada’s “allies and partners to recognize that these terrorist acts are unacceptable and that solidarity with Israel is the best way of stopping the conflict.”

A day earlier, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird slammed Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, for blaming Israel for the civilians deaths in Gaza and for demanding ceasefire terms that would leave Hamas and its offensive abilities intact.

Baird said that Pillay’s remarks were “neither helpful nor reflective of the reality of this crisis.” In particular, Baird took issue with Pillay drawing moral equivalence between a democratic state that is taking extraordinary measures to avoid civilian casualties and a recognized terrorist organization.

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Canada's Harper: Why Single Out Israel for Criticism? - ISRAEL TODAY

Canada's Harper: Why Single Out Israel for Criticism?

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 |  Ryan Jones, Israel Today 

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Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Tuesday wondered why people keep trying to get him to single out Israel for criticism, while ignoring differences his government might have with nearly every other country.

During a joint press briefing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Harper was asked by Israeli media why he had failed to publicly condemn Jewish "settlement activity" in Judea and Samaria.

"When I’m in Israel I’m asked to single out Israel, when I’m in the Palestinian Authority I’m asked to single out Israel, and half the other places around the world you ask me to single out Israel," Harper responded, wondering why when he visited Ramallah a day earlier "no one asked me there to single out the Palestinian Authority for any criticism in terms of governance or human rights or anything else."

Harper went on to point out that Canada's readily available official policy opposes Jewish settlements, and that he is not constrained in expressing his government's differences with Israel when meeting with Netanyahu. But, Harper suggested, he sees no reason to make a public show of it.

When addressing the Knesset earlier in the day, Harper said he knew why exaggerated criticism of Israel had become so popular in the world today - it is the new haven for those who would in generations past have been labeled as anti-Semites.

"People who would never say they hate and blame the Jews for their own failings or the problems of the world, instead declare their hatred of Israel and blame the only Jewish state for the problems of the Middle East," he told Israel's gathered lawmakers. "...this is the face of the new anti-Semitism. It targets the Jewish people by targeting Israel."

Netanyahu also addressed the settlement question, reminding those present that "this conflict raged for half a century before there was a single Israeli settlement or Israeli soldier in Judea, Samaria and Gaza."

He reiterated that, as such, it was wrong to view the presence of Jewish communities as the "core of the conflict," a notion the Canadian government seems to grasp.

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"Canada will stand with Israel." - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper - 'Through fire and water, Canada will stand with Israel'

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, 

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wives

'Through fire and water, Canada will stand with Israel'

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers stirring pro-Israel speech at the Knesset • Harper: I believe the story of Israel is a great example to the world • Two Arab MKs disrupt Harper's speech • Netanyahu: Harper stands up for the truth.

Gideon Alon, Shlomo Cesana, Daniel Siryoti, Israel Hayom Staff and News Agencies

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper addresses the Knesset on Monday |  Photo credit: Dudi Vaaknin

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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper got a taste of the robustness of Israeli democracy on Monday, as he was heckled by Israeli Arab MKs during a speech at the Knesset.

As Harper condemned anti-Israel boycott efforts and denounced those who call Israel an apartheid state, two Israeli Arab MKs shouted at him and walked out.

Ra'am Ta'al MK Ahmad Tibi shouted that the boycott efforts were against Israeli settlements and that Harper should be sitting on the Likud benches in the Knesset. A second Ra'am Ta'al MK, Talab Abu Arar, called on Harper to speak about alleged racism against Bedouin citizens of Israel. After their outbursts, the two MKs walked out of the Knesset chamber. Harper then received a standing ovation from other MKs.

"I believe the story of Israel is a great example to the world," Harper said.

"It is a story, essentially, of a people whose response to suffering has been to move beyond resentment and build a most extraordinary society, a vibrant democracy, a freedom-loving country with an independent and rights-affirming judiciary, an innovative, world-leading 'start-up' nation.

"You have taken the collective memory of death and persecution to build an optimistic, forward-looking society, one that so values life you will sometimes release a thousand criminals and terrorists to save one of your own. In the democratic family of nations, Israel represents values which our government takes as articles of faith and principles to drive our own national life. And therefore, through fire and water, Canada will stand with you."

Harper spoke out strongly against anti-Semitism disguised as criticism of Israel.

"We live in a world where that kind of moral relativism today runs rampant," Harper said.

"And in the garden of such moral relativism, the seeds of a much more sinister notion can be easily planted. And so we have witnessed in recent years the mutation of the old disease of anti-Semitism and the emergence of a new strain.

"We all know about the old anti-Semitism. It was crude and ignorant, and it led to the horrors of the death camps. Of course, in many dark corners, it is still with us. But, in much of the western world, the old hatred has been translated into more sophisticated language for use in polite society. People who would never say they hate and blame the Jews for their own failings or the problems of the world, instead declare their hatred of Israel and blame the only Jewish state for the problems of the Middle East.

"As once Jewish businesses were boycotted, some civil society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel. On some campuses, intellectualized arguments against Israeli policies thinly mask underlying realities, such as the shunning of Israeli academics and the harassment of Jewish students.

"Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state. Now think about that statement. Think about the twisted logic and outright malice behind that. A state, based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law, founded so that Jews can flourish as Jews and seek shelter from the shadow of the worst racist experiment in history."

Harper said Israel "is condemned in the masked language of anti-racism."

Stephen Harper at the Israeli Knesset

"Friends, that is nothing short of sickening," Harper said. "But, this is the face of the new anti-Semitism. It targets the Jewish people by targeting Israel and attempts to make the old bigotry acceptable to a new generation."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the Knesset on Monday, welcoming Harper and thanking him for his support of Israel. Netanyahu spoke about Harper's visit to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem after his arrival in Israel on Sunday.

"This is the Jerusalem that has been the eternal capital of the Jewish people since the time of King David, 3,000 years ago," Netanyahu said.

"There are those in the international community who try to refute our connection to Jerusalem and our land, but not you. You are well familiar with the facts, past as well as present. I want to tell you, members of the Knesset, that there are others in the international community who also know the facts. But unlike the others, Stephen, you have the courage to stand up for the truth, and you have the courage to say the truth.

"In this visit, we are discussing ways to further enhance the ties between us, as cooperating with each other helps make both countries stronger, more prosperous, more progressive. I hope that the day comes that we will find partners here in the Middle East who share our vision, many partners. I hope that the parliaments will cooperate; I hope that there will be real parliaments.

"For example, let's look at Syria. Here in the [Knesset], as you have seen, Stephen, anyone can speak their mind. They can stand up, talk, yell, irritate. But these are not things that can be done in Damascus. Only here in Israel do we have freedom. I must say that I have not found that our friends, Israeli Arabs, want to take leave of Israel. They all want to be here, and justly so. I understand them."

Earlier on Monday, Harper met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. A Palestinian official told Israel Hayom that the meeting was somewhat tense, due to Harper's unflinching support for Israel. According to the official, Abbas and Harper discussed the possibility of Canada taking part in a solution for the Palestinian refugee issue. However, Harper said that, as of now, Canada has not been asked to take in Palestinian refugees.

"We obviously understand the various challenges that Palestinians face," Harper said. "That's why again today, and obviously over a long period of time, the government of Canada has supported Palestinians in critical areas: humanitarian aid, political development, security development, peace process, and we will continue to do so. 

Canada is a strong supporter of the peace process. Our position is not an Israeli position or a Palestinian position, it's a Canadian position of principle, supported by the overall majority of Canadians and at its heart is our belief that the critical issues must be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians themselves."

Standing ovation for Harper's speech to the Knesset

Before meeting with Abbas, Harper toured the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

On Tuesday morning, Harper met with President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Ron Prosor told the U.N. Security Council on Monday that Palestinian incitement against Israel poses a major obstacle to peace.

"From cradles to kindergartens and from schools to soccer stadiums, Palestinian children are besieged by messages of hate," Prosor said.

"They are born in hospitals named after violent Palestinian groups, attend schools named after terrorists, and are taught from textbooks that describe Zionism as racism.

"The Palestinian leadership has yet to learn that real peace requires real commitment. You cannot condemn terrorism to international media and congratulate terrorists on Palestinian media. You cannot victimize others and then insist you are the victim."

'A great friend of Israel and the Jewish people' - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Israel Hayom)

'A great friend of Israel and the Jewish people'

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper lands in Israel on Sunday, is welcomed at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem • PM Benjamin Netanyahu to Harper: You have shown great moral leadership • Harper set to address the Knesset on Monday.

Shlomo Cesana, Israel Hayom

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomes Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Israel on Sunday |  Photo credit: Dudi Vaaknin

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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrived in Israel on Sunday for his first visit to the country. He will also visit the Palestinian Authority and Jordan during his trip. On Monday, Harper is scheduled to speak at the Knesset.

"Prime Minister Harper, my good friend Stephen, welcome to Jerusalem," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday upon welcoming Harper at his office. "I have to say, Stephen, that you are a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people. I'm not just saying that -- I mean it deeply from the bottom of my heart and I speak for all the people of Israel."

Netanyahu continued, saying, "This world is often cynical and hypocritical, and you have shown great moral leadership. When it comes to fighting terrorism, you know that there cannot be any politically correct double talk, but only unequivocal condemnation and united international action.

"When it comes to anti-Semitism, you have stood up unabashedly at the side of Israel and the entire Jewish people, I think at the side of decency and fairness to everyone: Jews and non-Jews alike. And when it comes to Iran's repeated calls for Israel's annihilation and its unrelenting development of nuclear weapons -- you and Canada have stood unflinchingly on the right side of history," he added.

Touching on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, Netanyahu told Harper, "You recognize that a genuine peace, a lasting peace, must be based on mutual recognition and sound security arrangements on the ground. I think in all this and in so many other things, you have shown courage, clarity and conviction."

"And in standing up for the truth, your voice, Stephen, has been an indispensable one," Netanyahu said. "So the people of Israel and I deeply appreciate your friendship and the friendship of the people of Canada to us."

Harper said he would save his substantive remarks for his Knesset speech on Monday, but he did note that he and his wife Laureen were "delighted to be here."

While most visiting heads of state refrain from going to east Jerusalem during official visits to Israel, Harper toured the Mount of Olives on Sunday.

Netanyahu gave Harper gifts for his two children who did not come on the trip to Israel: A signed volleyball for Harper's son, and a bracelet and two jerseys of Israel's national volleyball team for his daughter.