By Marney Blom
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper along with his wife Laureen arrived in Israel this week to embark on a journey of firsts. Not only was this Harper’s first visit to the region, but it marked the first time a sitting Prime Minister has set foot on Israeli soil in 14 years.
Harper was accompanied by an exceptionally large 208-member delegation of Members of Parliament, rabbis, Christian ministry leaders, and businessmen.
“My good friend Stephen, welcome to Jerusalem. It’s a pleasure for Sara and me to welcome you and Laureen here to our country,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the official welcoming ceremony. “This world is often cynical and hypocritical, and you have shown great moral leadership.”
Warmth and a mutual admiration quickly became evident between the two world leaders.
“[This trip] is historic … the atmosphere on the plane was celebratory,” remarked Canadian MP James Lunney of Nanaimo-Bernie, British Columbia.
After shaking the hand of the Canadian Prime MInister, the mayor of Jerusalem beamed. “Having your best friend come over … the most committed and loyal people to the Jewish people is a huge honour.”
Harper then became the first foreign dignitary in the history of Israel to receive a key to the Knesset. Moments later he was invited to take the podium and address the Israeli Knesset — another first for a Canadian Prime Minister. His historic speech was marked by moral clarity and staunch support for the sole democracy in the region.
“First, Canada finds it deplorable that some in the international community still question the legitimacy of the existence of the State of Israel … Our view on Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is absolute and non-negotiable.
… Second, Canada believes that Israel should be able to exercise its full rights as a UN member- state, and to enjoy the full measure of its sovereignty.
… Third, we refuse to single out Israel for criticism on the international stage … Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state.”
“Therefore,” concluded Harper “through fire and water, Canada will stand with you.”
Members of the Canadian Jewish delegation were awestruck.
“I do not remember ever in my lifetime being at an event when I have felt so overwhelmed as when I heard the prime minister … in the Knesset,” reflected Rabbi Reuven Bulka of Ottawa, a member of Harper’s delegation to Israel. “When you consider all of our history – my grandparents great grandparents all victims of the holocaust – and to have the Canadian Prime Minister coming and saying, ‘through fire and water we are with you’ … it is so overwhelming. I don’t think there are any words to describe it.”
Although streets were adorned with Canadian flags, and there was clear evidence of a Canadian presence in Jerusalem, not all Israelis were aware that a pro-Israel world leader was in town. But for those who heard Stephen Harper’s Knesset speech there was nothing but appreciation.
“I saw on the news that the Canadian Prime Minister was here, I heard what he said,” said Boaz Fineman, a law student in Jerusalem. “It was heart-warming.”
One might ask what motivated the present Canadian government to posture itself as a strong friend of Israel?
“There is room for leadership on the international stage. There hasn’t been clarity in the UN, there hasn’t been clarity from all of our partners and allies about what it means to support democracy, market economies and economic success – all of which Israel presents,” stated Canadian MP Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “Canada has taken that stand. I think we find ourselves increasingly respected in Israel and well beyond.”
In the past not all Canadian governments have had the same connection with the Zionist state. Something has changed. According to many Canadian Christian leaders the shift can be traced back to prayer.
“The Lord spoke very clearly to the leadership in Canada and said … you need to repent … there have been times in our history that have been very shameful as it pertains to our treatment of the Jewish people,” said Rev. Patricia Bootsma, author and Co-Lead Pastor of Catch the Fire, Toronto. “What I noticed since that time, I noticed that our government picked up on it … 2 Chronicles 7:14 … if [my] people will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, I will forgive their sins and heal their land. So there is something that shifted in our land [and] shifted in our government.
Under Prime Minister Stephen Harper Canada has emerged a world leader unafraid to take the moral high ground even though it is an unpopular thing to do on the international stage that exhibits growing hostility toward the tiny Zionist state.
Marney Blom is news director for the Acts News Network.
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