Ted Belman
B’nai Brith Canada reports:
January 20, 2014, Toronto — B’nai Brith Canada was proud to be
present as Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave his historic address to
the Israeli Knesset.
The excitement and deep emotion were palpable among the broad and
diverse Canadian delegation which filled the visitors’ gallery. Everyone
present rose to their feet in yet another standing ovation as their
Prime Minister vowed that Canada will stand with Israel “through fire
and water.”
Frank Dimant, CEO, B’nai Brith Canada, stated: “The Prime Minister’s
office, in making recommendations for the trip, has done a superb job in
demonstrating the diversity of the Canadian Jewish community. The group
was made up of a broad range of representatives including B’nai Brith
Canada, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, religious Zionists,
Agudat Israel, Rabbis from the Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Chabad
and Reform movements, the Jewish National Fund, United Israel Appeal,
Jewish Federations of Canada, the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs
Committee and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre For Holocaust Studies,
among others.
“Prime Minister Harper once again clearly articulated Canada’s
unwavering support by putting Israel’s right to defend itself at the
forefront. The message, even though coded, still resonated clearly:
Israel must defend itself even if this means opposing US Secretary of
State John Kerry’s peace plan to the extent that it may compromise the
security of the Jewish State. Harper’s message that the Canadian
government will continue to stand with Israel was powerful and welcomed.
“In addition, the shouted objections and dramatic exit of two Arab
Members of Knesset just as Harper decried the rising tide of the new
antisemitism — with Israel as its target — and the lies of apartheid
provided a real-time demonstration of the vibrancy of Israeli democracy.
“Harper’s unequivocal commitment to the safety and security of the
Jewish people proves once again that the title bestowed upon Canada as
Israel’s best friend is well deserved and will continue into the
future.”
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