Posted on 07/18/2006 10:02:04 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative
Prime Minister Harper's role in the recent Mideast crisis is interesting, and one that his own External Affairs Department may not be quite comfortable with. External Affairs has always been less than enthusiastic about Israel.
Canada's attitude to Israel has traditionally tended to be even-handed, but under Paul Martin, Canada at the United Nations voted several times to condemn Israel for its policies.
There are about 20 to 25 seats in Canada that have a sizable Jewish presence, and these seats have always been Liberal. The Reform party under Preston Manning and the Tories under Harper did not get anywhere with the Jewish vote.
The NDP has been tilting against Israel for years, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees has called for a boycott of Israel. The left in Canada is pro-Palestinian.
Canada has never been as pro-Israel as the United States. The U.S. has millions of Jews and both the Republicans and Democrats are blatantly pro-Israel. George W. Bush's war against terror is also a war in defence of Israel's right to exist and be recognized.
Bush has said about the recent Mideast crisis that Israel was only defending itself against Hamas and Hezbollah rockets, kidnappings and infiltration. But Bush has expressed concern about Lebanon.
In the Mideast crisis, only Harper has come out 100 percent for Israel. Harper is now Israel's best friend.
Harper understands that the Tories have received little of the Jewish vote, perhaps because they are a bit too socially conservative and right of centre for the traditionally small 'l' liberal Jewish vote.
Normally one would have to say Canadian Jewry would be a tough group for Harper's Tories to win over.
But that is exactly what Harper has done. Harper's stand on Israel could get Harper his majority government, even if he does not break through in Quebec.
Harper is not just playing politics in the Mideast. Harper does believe that Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorist groups in cahoots with Iran. Harper has condemned Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran for not abandoning terror and for refusing to recognize Israel.
Harper is a genuine fan of Israel and Canadian Jewry. Harper's love of Israel makes him even more of a supporter of Israel than Brian Mulroney.
The key to a majority
Harper's pro-Israel stand has outflanked the Liberals. His support for the war on terror and Afghanistan is entirely compatible with his 100 per cent support of Israel and 100 per cent denial of Israel's enemies.
The Liberals, split on Afghanistan, have said nothing about Israel's right to defend itself. The Liberals are split on Israel, as they are on Afghanistan. Michael Ignatieff is pro-Afghanistan, but he has said nothing about the present Mideast crisis and Israel.
Harper agrees with Israel that it faces threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and Syria. He has condemned this quartet as violently anti-Israel and pro-terrorist.
Harper's championship of Israel is a personal and philosophical. He admires Israel's toughness and its military elan. Like Mulroney, Harper has a deeply ingrained understanding of the problems Israel faces.
Harper banned Hamas, designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization and has repeatedly attacked Iran for its vicious anti-Semitism, its backing of terror against Israel and refusal to recognize the Jewish state.
The Liberals and the left in Canada may condemn Harper for his pro-Israel stand in the current Mideast crisis, but Harper remains steadfast, and this defence of Israel will likely win him the votes of Canadian Jewry. Harper's Mideast policies could prove to be the key to a Harper majority government.
Harper's Zionism will also guarantee that the Jewish community will sympathize with Harper's war in Afghanistan, and Canada's Jewish community is an influential one in Canadian media and business circles.
Harper's Mideast policies reflect Harper's own deep beliefs in Israel, but these policies also reflect Harper's keen sense of political strategy.
Neither have any of us Canadian FReepers ;-)
LOL!
Thanks for the ping!
Geez! You live THERE?
You poor thing!
G-d bless Stephen Harper, and may he and all conservatives maintain a consistent Torah approach to all issues, regardless of how unpopular this is with Jewish liberals or anti-Jewish "palaeos."
Join the crowd my friend.
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