PM Harper gets a hero’s welcome in Israel

[blake 3:17]

With glowing hearts


JERUSALEM—Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrived in Israel to a hero’s welcome Sunday, celebrated for “being a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people” as he kicked off his tour of the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rolled out the red carpet, praising Harper as a “friend” for championing the Jewish people, fighting anti-Semitism and taking a tough stand on Iran.

“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 that deeply from the bottom of my heart and I speak for all the people of Israel,” Netanyahu told Harper in remarks at an official welcome ceremony Sunday night.

A line-up of 15 Conservative parliamentarians, including Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, International Trade Minister Ed Fast and Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver were joined by an equally large contingent on the Israeli side.

Netanyahu, who was joined by his wife Sara in welcoming Harper and his wife Laureen, praised the prime minister’s “moral leadership” on several fronts important to Israel.

“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,” Netanyahu said.

“When it comes to anti-Semitism, you’ve stood unabashedly at the side of Israel and the entire Jewish people,” he said during the ceremony held on the grounds of the prime minister’s offices.

“And when it comes to Iran’s repeated calls for Israel’s annihilation and it’s unrelenting development of nuclear weapons, you and Canada have stood unflinchingly on the right side of history,” he said.
Indeed, Netanyahu heaped praise on Canada in 2012 when Ottawa severed its diplomatic ties with Iran.

“In standing up for the truth, your voice has been an indispensable one,” he said.


Harper is joined by an unusually large contingent on this foreign visit, reflecting the importance his government attaches to the trip.
In addition to the politicians, a delegation of 208 cultural, business and spiritual leaders has joined Harper for this trip, which also includes stops in West Bank and Jordan. The delegation includes 21 rabbis, several dozen more affiliated with Jewish organizations, such as B’Nai Brith Canada, the Jewish National Fund of Canada and the Jewish Federations of Canada. Other religious organizations are also represented, such as Crossroads Christian Communications, the Christian and Missionary Alliance Canada and the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Canada. Business executives are also part of the delegation, including those from Suncor, Bombardier and Air Canada.

Major Canadian Arab or Muslim groups did not appear represented in the delegation.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/01/19/prime_minister_stephen_harper_lands_in_israel_to_k ick_off_middle_east_tour.html

[blake 3:17]

Good piece from yesterday from a former head of CBC News and Al Jazeera English, also from the Toronto Star:


Time for Canada, Israel to stop living in fantasy world: Burman
Canada's reputation in significant parts of world will sink ever lower as a result of PM Stephen Harper's vanity tour of Israel, writes Tony Burman



For Canada, its reputation in significant parts of the world will sink ever lower as a result. And for the State of Israel, it will have even more reason — with friends like Canada’s prime minister — to fear for its future.
Last month, Harper described Israel as “the light of freedom and democracy in what is otherwise a region of darkness.” He said this even though, at the age of 54 and after eight years as prime minister, Harper has never found the time until now to spend even one day visiting Israel or anywhere else in the Middle East.
In 2003, therefore, should we have been surprised that, as Canada’s opposition leader, he declared it was “manifestly in the national interest of Canada” to join American and British forces in their disastrous invasion of Iraq?

Full article: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/01/17/time_for_canada_israel_to_stop_living_in_fantasy_w orld_burman.html

[blake 3:17]

Backing Israel a ‘moral imperative’ for global democracy, Harper says
CAMPBELL CLARK
Jerusalem — The Globe and Mail
Published Monday, Jan. 20 2014, 11:50 AM EST
Last updated Monday, Jan. 20 2014, 8:52 PM EST

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who has made backing Israel a governing credo, used a historic speech to the Knesset to lay out the case for his staunch support – insisting it is not only a “moral imperative” but also strategically important to democracies around the world.

Mr. Harper often does not give detailed reasons for holding particular positions on issues, so the address in Israel’s parliament offered the most comprehensive rationale yet for why he backs Israel “through fire and water.”

At the centre of his argument was Israel’s democracy, and the persistent security threats it faces building a land for the Jewish people after long persecution. But he also attacked the “moral relativism” of those who call for balance in Mideast policy as weak and wrong – and stated that a new strain of anti-Semitism in the Western world is behind sharp criticisms of Israel.

“In much of the Western world, the old hatred has been translated into more sophisticated language for use in polite society,” Mr. Harper said.

“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.”

The point, he insisted, is that Israel is the Middle East’s only democracy, and that it is surrounded by others that do not have such a political system or the rule of law and find it “easier to foster resentment and hatred of Israel’s democracy than it is to provide the same rights and freedoms to their own people.”

The speech offered a glimpse into Mr. Harper’s reasoning and addressed some of the perplexing disconnects in Canadian statements on the Middle East that were on display earlier in the day.

On Monday morning, Mr. Harper had marked another first by visiting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, bringing $66-million in new aid as a step toward easing tense relations. But he also flatly refused to say whether Israeli settlements on occupied land are illegal, even though he also said Canada’s official policy – opposing them – has not changed.

“Any attempt to have me, while present in the Middle East, single out the state of Israel for criticism, I will not do,” he said at a joint press conference with Mr. Abbas.

His speech to the Knesset, in effect, suggested his reasoning: he argued that a pattern of “selectively” condemning Israel “while systematically ignoring – or excusing – the violence and oppression all around it” de-legitimizes it as a democratic state.

He said Israel faces an “impossible calculus” between defending itself and facing condemnation or risking its destruction. And for Western democracies, he said, supporting Israel is of strategic importance because all democracies face the same threat from those “who loathe the liberty of others, and who hold the differences of peoples and cultures and religion in contempt.”

It was a speech delivered with a comfortable cadence rather than fiery passion. And it garnered standing ovations and applause from most of the Knesset, as well as from a gallery packed with more than 100 of the Canadians Mr. Harper invited on his trip, including many representatives of the Jewish community.

“I don’t think there was ever quite a platform like this that allowed him to set it all out,” said Shimon Fogel, chief executive officer of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. “I think for Canadian Jews in general, this has been a wonderful validation of their sense of identity as Canadians.”

It also provoked heckling from two Arab members of the Knesset, Ahmad Tibi and Taleb Abu Arar, who walked out as Mr. Harper was blasting those who call Israel’s treatment of Palestinians “apartheid.”

“He said calling the policies of Israelis apartheid is anti-Semitism,” Mr. Tibi told The Globe and Mail in a telephone interview. “We are facing discrimination daily and the Palestinians are suffering from the occupation. He described Israel as a paradise.”

Mr. Tibi said he shouted at Mr. Harper when he labelled boycotts of Israeli goods because of settlements anti-Semitic. “I said, why don’t you talk about settlements?”

Mr. Harper did tell the Knesset that peace with Palestinians must come – although he suggested it is waiting for Palestinian will – and insisted Canada applies the same principles to Palestinians as it does in offering support for Israel’s democracy.

“It applies no less to the Palestinian people, than it does to the people of Israel. Just as we unequivocally support Israel’s right of self-defence, so too Canada has long-supported a just and secure future for the Palestinian people,” he said.

“And, I believe, we share with Israel a sincere hope that the Palestinian people and their leaders will choose a viable, democratic Palestinian state, committed to living peacefully alongside the Jewish State of Israel.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-stresses-moral-imperative-of-backing-israel/article16405540/

[Red Commissar]

It's obvious the idiot was going from a script, he couldn't even be original- praise Israel for being the "only democracy" in the Middle-East and discount criticism as being thinly-veiled anti-semetism while saying the onus is on the Palestinians for actually getting peace (hence the bit about electing people who'd live peacefully with Israel while ignoring the virulently racist politicians inside Israel's state). I know Harper probably did this to remind people the Canadian government exists as an independent force abroad, but he pretty much repeated the popular talking points of United States' politicos without adding anything original of his own.

[blake 3:17]

It's obvious the idiot was going from a script, he couldn't even be original- praise Israel for being the "only democracy" in the Middle-East and discount criticism as being thinly-veiled anti-semetism while saying the onus is on the Palestinians for actually getting peace (hence the bit about electing people who'd live peacefully with Israel while ignoring the virulently racist politicians inside Israel's state). I know Harper probably did this to remind people the Canadian government exists as an independent force abroad, but he pretty much repeated the popular talking points of United States' politicos without adding anything original of his own.


No no no. The Harper Tories are well to right of the US on issues of Israel and Palestine.

A right wing paper in Jerusalem called him Our Man in North America.


Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canadians at home support his refusal to publicly criticize Israel – because to do so would be to attack an isolated minority state.

Mr. Harper said Tuesday he has clearly raised Canada’s opposition to Israeli settlements in private meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but again refused to speak publicly about the issue.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-meets-with-shimon-peres-says-talks-with-israeli-president-are-always-thought-provoking/article16425500/

This is all so totally WTF -- Harper is an evil man.

[blake 3:17]

http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/cms/binary/9407838.jpg?size=620x400s

A cartoon by Aislin, one of our actually loved peepz for the Montreal Gazette -- got some blow back

[The Intransigent Faction]

Apparently he played the usual "Criticism of Israel is the new Anti-Semitism" card...ugh, that makes me sick. Some things just reach such a level of stupid that you're no longer sure how to respond.

Also, he gave $66 million to the West Bank and Gaza, though he was vague about what the money was for. This is supposed to balance out against uncritical support for a blockade and annexation, and apologism for the genocide that goes along with it which puts Palestinians in such a desperate position to begin with?

[Tattered]

Stephen Harper is Canada's George W. Bush

[RedWaves]

Don't be surprised, he's a supporter of Fascist Israel, of course they treat him like a King.


and to the comment above, yes he's the Canadian George W Bush....the entire conservative party of Canada is no different than America.

Fuck Harper.

[blake 3:17]

This is the million-dollar shot!' Tory MP cries out to join Harper photo op in Israel
CAMPBELL CLARK
Jerusalem — The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Jan. 21 2014, 12:56 PM EST
Last updated Tuesday, Jan. 21 2014, 3:41 PM EST
Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, a site holy in Judaism – and his MPs wanted to be part of the action


Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, a site holy in Judaism – and his MPs wanted to be part of the action.

One, Conservative MP Mark Adler, was pressing to the edge of the media area where photographers watched, and pleaded with one of Mr. Harper’s aides, Jeremy Hunt, to be let past the security barrier to be part of the photo op.

The video below shows Mr. Harper at the wall – and Mr. Adler’s voice can be clearly heard.

“Jeremy! Jeremy! Can I get in?” Mr. Adler said.

“No,” Mr. Hunt replied.

“It’s the re-election! This is the million-dollar shot.”

He then asked Mr. Hunt to bring Mr. Harper over to shake hands later. In the end, after Mr. Harper had started to walk away from the wall, Mr. Adler and another Tory, Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, were allowed past the barrier, and scrambled to have their photos taken with the Prime Minister.

Mr. Harper and contingent of 208 people, including Canadian politicians, religious leaders and business executives, are on a week-long trip to Israel and Jordan.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/this-is-the-million-dollar-shot-conservative-mp-cries-out-to-join-harper-photo-op-in-israel/article16427749/

[blake 3:17]

Also, he gave $66 million to the West Bank and Gaza, though he was vague about what the money was for. This is supposed to balance out against uncritical support for a blockade and annexation, and apologism for the genocide that goes along with it which puts Palestinians in such a desperate position to begin with?

No. While I don't know the details, it would be primarily for the PA. Or maybe it's all for Gaza since that'd all be controlled by Israel! Or left over birth control pills?

Harper met with Abbas in Rammalah:


Under heavy security in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Harper and Mahmoud Abbas met for about a half-hour at the presidential palace before appearing at a joint news conference.

Relations between the two have been strained since the Conservative government attempted to block a bid by the Palestinians for observer-state status at the United Nations last year.

On Monday, as Palestinian officials and some Canadian cabinet ministers looked on, the prime minister disputed suggestions that his stance on the conflict between Israel and Palestine is pro-Israeli.

Instead, he said, his position is a Canadian one, adding he favours a two-state solution in which Israel can thrive in peace and security alongside a Palestinian state.

But, he added forcefully, he would not be drawn into chiding Israel.

"Any attempt to have me, while in the Middle East, single out the state of Israel for criticism, I will not do," he said.

Harper also denied reports in some Israeli media that he's been asked to absorb Palestinian refugees as part of a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East. The prime minister said Canada hasn't been asked to take any refugees.

Abbas, meantime, said Canada is entitled to its opinion on the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians but made clear he wants an open dialogue with his Canadian counterparts.

The Conservative government says the new aid money will help advance the peace process, promote security and deliver humanitarian assistance. In a release announcing the aid, the Conservatives said Canada has provided more than $650 million in assistance to the West Bank and Gaza since 1993.

While the new funds are on top of $30 million announced last November, it still isn't as high as previous levels of funding to the Palestinians.

Harper made the trip to Ramallah after visiting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, considered by many to be the birthplace of Christ.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/01/20/harper-middle-east-ramallah-palestine_n_4629811.html

[blake 3:17]

From the liberal Israeli paper Haaretz:

Harper proves a good friend of Netanyahu, but not necessarily of Israel
In an historic Knesset address, Canada's PM missed out on a few truths, while earning first class berths on the Titanic that is the Israeli government.
By Barak Ravid | Jan. 21, 2014 | 3:59 AM | 33

It’s been a long time since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has looked so satisfied as he did during the speech of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the Knesset on Monday. Relaxed in his chair and with a big smile on his face, Netanyahu became engrossed in flattering words in English and in French that Harper showered on him from the podium.

The Harper festival confused Netanyahu, who gave an arrogant speech, patronizing Israel’s Arab citizens; but it also confused MK Isaac Herzog, the chairman of the Labor Party, who only remembered after 10 minutes into his Knesset speech that he was there in the role of leader of the opposition.

But it seems the person who the speech went to his head the most was Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, who a short time later compared the rocky hills of the controversial E- 1 area to the holiest place for the Jewish people.

Harper said on Monday important and correct things. He expressed unconditional support for Israel, for its right to exist as a Jewish state and of its obligation to defend itself against terror, defamation and discrimination in the international arena.

On the other hand, his speech was lacking in any criticism of the Netanyahu government’s policies. He completely ignored such issues as the occupation or settlements, expressed only weak support for the establishment of a Palestinian state and even granted Israel the right of a veto on this matter.

The impression Harper left on Monday was that he is a friend of Benjamin Netanyahu more than he is a true friend of Israel; that his support for the policies of the government of Israel is blind. His words blinded the eyes of Netanyahu and the ministers in his cabinet. He gave them the false feeling that everything is okay, that they are right, that if we only stand firm a bit longer, a lot more Harpers will sprout at the heads of the Western powers.

Harper spoke in his speech of the hypocrisy of the international community, but he was the one who spoke against the declared policy of his own government on the Palestinian issue. Only a few days before he arrived in Israel this policy was updated on the Internet site of the Canadian Foreign Ministry. For example, it states there that the settlements are illegal and represent an obstacle to peace.

If the Prime Minister of Canada thinks his words in the Knesset will advance peace, it seems that the opposite is true. His speech only served Netanyahu's repression instinct and strengthened his feelings of victimization and isolationism that already exists in him. Harper put Netanyahu back months from the standpoint of his attitude concerning the peace process.

Netanyahu and Harper spoke quite a lot in the Knesset in favor of telling the truth and against hypocrisy. But the truth is that with all due respect to the prime minister of Canada, his relevance in the international community, his influence on what goes on in the Middle East and his ability to help Israel in matters of life and death are inversely related to the size of his country.

Harper said a lot of important and true things on Monday, but his speech will be remembered mostly for the things he did not say and for the truths he chose to sweep under the carpet. This is not how a true friend behaves. Harper earned himself a cabin in the first class berths on the Titanic that is called the government of Israel. It will be interesting to see if that helps someone when it hits an iceberg.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.569650