PM Harper Visits Israel

Canadian PM Harper tells Israel: “Through fire and water, Canada will stand with you.” Brings delegation of 208 Canadians to Israel, including Rabbis & Pastors. by joelcrosenberg At a time when so many world leaders are turning away from Israel and trying to isolate the Jewish state, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper -- an evangelical Christian and the most pro-Israel world leader on the planet at this time -- arrived in Jerusalem on Sunday for his first visit, telling the Israeli people, "through fire and water, Canada will stand with you." Harper was given the red carpet treatment by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu with whom he has become a close and personal friend, as well as a staunch and reliable ally. He and his wife, Laureen, dined with Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. The Harpers also toured several Christian holy sites, and plan to visit several more -- including sites around the Sea of Galilee -- during their trip. Harper brought with him a delegation of 208 Canadians, including 21 Rabbis, 27 CEOs of Canadian companies, as well as numerous evangelical pastors and Catholic priests. On Monday, Harper became the first Canadian Prime Minister in history to address the Israeli Knesset. He reaffirmed the importance of Israel as "a Jewish state," and was given a standing ovation for his long-standing and warm friendship and support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people. "It is right to support Israel because after generations of persecutions the Jewish people deserve their own homeland," Harper told the Israeli parliament. "I believe the story of Israel is a great example to the world. 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 land, 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 national life. And therefore, through fire and water, Canada will stand with you." To read the text of his extraordinary speech, please click here (scroll to the bottom of the Haaretz article where the video of the speech is located). Harper met with Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Monday morning. Later this week, he will visit Jordan and meet with King Abdullah II in Amman, deeply committed as he is to encouraging peace between Israel and the Arab people. "Prime Minister Harper, my good friend Stephen, welcome to Jerusalem," said Netanyahu said on Sunday upon welcoming Harper at his office, reported Israel Hayom. "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....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." "Touching on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations," Israel Hayom noted, 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."