Truth and Consequences

"There is some kind of moral obligation on the entire world to support a secure homeland for the Jewish people -- given not just the Holocaust, but the entire history of anti-Semitism. Both in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere.
"We see the kind of culture of hatred in various parts of the world, regrettably in some dark corners of Canada, as some of this kind of new anti-Semitism.
"It often finds itself at the nexus between radical Jihadi Islamism and the far left. This is a reality on our university campuses. It's a reality in many different parts of the world, and it's a reality we can't ignore.
"The real reason that we have taken these positions is because we see what is, in our view, plainly evident. Israel faces a daily existential struggle for its survival (and) is a refuge for the Jewish people born out of the ashes of the Holocaust.
"It is attacked daily, it is targeted for elimination, precisely in part because it represents to some people in the Middle East a kind of aberrant presence of western civilization there.
"Our policy is, in part, predicated on actually taking Israel's enemies at their word. I don't think we can approach the Middle East pretending or wishing away those, frankly, evil sentiments."
Employment Canada Minister Jason Kenney

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, fully personally involved in the support of the State of Israel as a fellow liberal democracy, albeit a geographic world apart from Canada, and fully engaged in the battle to defeat, counteract, deplore, and speak forcerfully about the devastatingly dreadful outcomes of anti-Semitism appointed Jason Kenney, known in his own right for his affinity with ethnic groups, to be at the front of the government's pledge to battle anti-Semitism.

The Prime Minister's stolid determination to lead Canada in a democratic partnership with the State of Israel is matched by the dedication of John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Jason Kenney, formerly Minister of Immigration, in recognizing the growing malicious threat of anti-Semitism, Along with Israel's isolation within the United Nations, and the existential threats that have dogged its determination to represent a haven for the world's Jews in the very place where Judaism historically arose.

Mr. Kenney is preparing to leave for a visit to the Middle East along with the Prime Minister and a number of other senior cabinet ministers. Other interested parties will be included in the entourage, notably Shimon Fogel, head of the Centre for Israel and Jewish affairs. A visit by the Prime Minister to Ramallah in the West Bank, to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other officials, along with an official trip to Jordan is also scheduled.

The Government of Canada in this administration as in others past, makes no secret of its support, on the other hand, for a two-state solution to the ongoing dilemma facing Israel and the Palestinian Authority over their incessant hostilities. Canada officially recognizes that Palestinians have "legitimate aspirations" for their future that would include a "two-state settlement". There is nothing particularly political appealing to a home audience for votes in this government's position.

If there were, little support would be offered to Israel, Jewish Canadians and the fight against anti-Semitism, since their potential voting numbers even if they voted as a bloc, which they do not, are vastly outnumbered by the presence of Arab and Muslim Canadians whose support for the Conservative-led government is likely to be negatively impacted by the government's stance. Which, it insists, is one arrived at purely on the basis of justice and support for a democratic nation ensconced in a sea of hostile oil-rich autocrats to put it kindly.

Canada is prepared to increase its financial support to the Palestinian Authority. There is a particular interest in boosting aid toward educating young Palestinians to view their Jewish neighbours positively. "Peace -- you don't build it only with a peace treaty but also in normal acts of life in which the education of the young is something very important.

"We find that certain textbooks from the Palestinians, they don't recognize the fact that there is a state of Israel, and hatred is still part of some of the messages. So there are elements which do not contribute to peace, and this should be changed", offered Rafael Barak, the Israeli ambassador to Canada, emphasizing that teaching young Palestinians not to hate Jews is integral to building a lasting peace.