Stephen Harper’s Moral Clarity

Prime Minister Stephen Harper mounted a vigorous defence on Wednesday of his government’s Middle East policy.

 

Speaking to a B’nai Brith dinner, Harper made no apologies for his government siding with the Jewish state during this summer’s fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah guerrillas.

 

“When it comes to dealing with a war between Israel and a terrorist organization, this country and this government cannot and will never be neutral,” Harper said in a speech to the Jewish human rights group.

 

“This position is rooted in what we have long stood for as a country.”

 

The prime minister said he was not deterred by criticism from the opposition parties, who called the Conservative government’s unqualified support for Israel a repudiation of Canada’s traditional role in the region.

 

‚ÄúThat is simply not accurate,‚Äù he said. ‚ÄúRather than charting a new (policy) course, we are restoring Canada to its traditional and true role: Principled leadership in world affairs … a Canada that knows where it stands.‚Äù

 

And Harper said it is ultimately in Canada’s best interests to support Israel.

 

‚ÄúThose who attacked Israel and those who sponsor such attacks … seek what they and those like them have always sought ‚Äî the destruction of Israel and the destruction of the Jewish people,‚Äù he said. ‚ÄúThose who seek to destroy the Jews … will for the same reason ultimately seek to destroy us all and that my friends is why Canada‚Äôs new government has reacted with speed and spoken with clarity on recent events in the Middle East.‚Äù