Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is on a four-day official visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Harper began his first official visit to Israel, with Netanyahu hailing him as a "great friend" of the Jewish state.
If Hollywood hadn’t already coined a bromance called I Love You, Man, they could have made a movie about the prettiest love story in international politics — namely, between Benjamin Netanyahu and Stephen Harper. The Israeli prime minister welcomed his Canadian counterpart to Jerusalem Sunday, and was gushing in his praise.
“In a world that is often cynical and hypocritical, you have shown great moral leadership in fighting terrorism and not engaging in politically-correct double-talk,” he said.
Canada under Mr. Harper has stood unabashedly at the side of the Jewish people.
“You are on the side of decency" ( particularly in the face of threats from an Iranian regime set on developing nuclear weapons). "You’ve stood on the right side of history,” Netanyahu said.
The Canadian government has recognized that lasting peace depends on mutual recognition and sound security arrangements. “You’ve been an indispensable voice,” the Israeli leader concluded.
Mr. Harper thanked him in return, while saying that he would save his more substantive remarks for when he addresses the Knesset Monday. But this is a relationship based upon mutual back-scratching. Mr. Netanyahu is being forced to address the prospect that Israel’s regional hegemony is under threat. At the same time, his hawkish policies on settlements in the West Bank mean Israel is increasingly isolated and ostracized. It needs friends and there have been none more unconditional than Mr. Harper.
The Canadian leader has his own reasons for indulging in a little bromance. Standing alongside a strongman like Mr. Netanyahu reinforces the impression that Canada is back on the world stage, with a “principled” foreign policy that does not require us to “go along, to get along.” The electoral fruits were apparent in the last election — and not just in ridings with a large number of Jewish voters.
The monster size of the Canadian delegation to Israel suggests that Mr. Harper plans to double down on that strategy in the next election.
Canada is offering aid worth $66 million to the Palestinians. Prime Minister Harper announced the aid during a visit to the West Bank city of Ramallah today where he met with Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas. It is mainly for humanitarian assistance but Harper hopes it will help a little to advance the peace process. He says it is a moral imperative to support democracy wherever it may be...in Israel or in Palestine or anywhere it struggles to be born.
I don't think Canadians object to Harper's choice of friends. We have the autonomy to choose whom we will support morally and in principal. But he sure has picked a tough neighborhood to hang out in.
And some day Mr Netanyahu may ask a favor of us that we cannot in good conscience refuse.
Canada under Mr. Harper has stood unabashedly at the side of the Jewish people.
“You are on the side of decency" ( particularly in the face of threats from an Iranian regime set on developing nuclear weapons). "You’ve stood on the right side of history,” Netanyahu said.
The Canadian government has recognized that lasting peace depends on mutual recognition and sound security arrangements. “You’ve been an indispensable voice,” the Israeli leader concluded.
Mr. Harper thanked him in return, while saying that he would save his more substantive remarks for when he addresses the Knesset Monday. But this is a relationship based upon mutual back-scratching. Mr. Netanyahu is being forced to address the prospect that Israel’s regional hegemony is under threat. At the same time, his hawkish policies on settlements in the West Bank mean Israel is increasingly isolated and ostracized. It needs friends and there have been none more unconditional than Mr. Harper.
The Canadian leader has his own reasons for indulging in a little bromance. Standing alongside a strongman like Mr. Netanyahu reinforces the impression that Canada is back on the world stage, with a “principled” foreign policy that does not require us to “go along, to get along.” The electoral fruits were apparent in the last election — and not just in ridings with a large number of Jewish voters.
The monster size of the Canadian delegation to Israel suggests that Mr. Harper plans to double down on that strategy in the next election.
Canada is offering aid worth $66 million to the Palestinians. Prime Minister Harper announced the aid during a visit to the West Bank city of Ramallah today where he met with Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas. It is mainly for humanitarian assistance but Harper hopes it will help a little to advance the peace process. He says it is a moral imperative to support democracy wherever it may be...in Israel or in Palestine or anywhere it struggles to be born.
I don't think Canadians object to Harper's choice of friends. We have the autonomy to choose whom we will support morally and in principal. But he sure has picked a tough neighborhood to hang out in.
And some day Mr Netanyahu may ask a favor of us that we cannot in good conscience refuse.
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