Canadian Prime Minister supports Israel

Some uncommonly sensible statements from a country usually lacking much moral credibility. Let’s hope that the new Conservative government can back words with actions, and can survive canadian anti-semitic media’s predictable attempts to portray Prime Minister Stephen Harper as “Bush’s lapdog” for believing that Israel deserves the right to exist.

From The Globe And Mail, a Toronto-based national newspaper just slightly to the left of the New York Times:

Harper sides firmly with Israel

LONDON — Responsibility for the escalating violence in the Middle East rests entirely with those who have kidnapped Israeli soldiers, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday.

Mr. Harper, on his first major international foray, hadn't even touched down in Europe before aligning himself firmly with the United States and Israel in the latest conflagration.
“Israel has the right to defend itself,” the prime minister told reporters aboard a Canadian Forces Airbus en route to London, where he's starting a week-long diplomatic mission.

“I think Israel's response under the circumstances has been measured.”

Israeli military incursions into Lebanon following the kidnapping of two of its soldiers threatened to toss the volatile region into full-scale war. While many countries are urging restraint, Mr. Harper said “the onus to end this escalation is on the other side, and I would urge them to return the prisoners.”

In a prepared statement delivered midway over the Atlantic Ocean, Mr. Harper said: “It's essential that Hezbollah and Hamas release their Israeli prisoners and any countries in that area that have influence on these organizations should encourage an end to violence and recognize — and encourage the recognition of — Israel's right to exist.”

He said he found it “tremendously disappointing” that Palestinian organizations are launching attacks on Israel from a territory that Israel “voluntarily evacuated.”
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Mr. Harper's unabashed pro-Israel stance, is sure to prove divisive at the G8 summit this weekend in St. Petersburg, Russia, which anchors Mr. Harper's first major overseas foray as prime minister.
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Mr. Harper refused to be drawn into assessing whether Israel's military incursion into Lebanon — including the bombing of Beirut airport — is too much, responding only that “Israel has the right to defend itself.” ....

The world must be changing when my government’s actions allow me to feel proud to be Canadian again.