Jerusalem Thanking Ottawa

"Canadians have certainly demonstrated where they stand: Canada stands with Israel."
Vivian Bercovici, Canadian ambassador to Israel

Michael Friedson/The Media Line     Canadian ambassador to Israel, Vivian Bercovici 

"I felt I needed to be here to support our country and our fight for our country, which is what my parents have always done."
"I know the reason we're fighting is to protect ourselves, but the majority of the world doesn't see it that way. What they see is us killing innocent civilians and children and disabled people. What they don't understand is that Hamas is putting their people in harm's way and using them as human shields."
Daniela Saguy, Israeli-Canadian

"The Canadian government has been more supportive than the U.S. government at a time when we need them."
"I think we are neither as powerful nor influential as America but we are more supportive."
Deena Spiegelman, Canadian-Israeli

The Jerusalem mayor, Nir Barkat formally proffered thanks of appreciation to Canadians on for supporting Israel. Hundreds of people attended a rally in Jerusalem this week. Present also was a bipartisan delegation of six Canadian Members of Parliament who were on a tour of southern Israel. This was called the "Stand with Israel" event, taking place at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem, organized by former Canadian senator Jerry Grafstein.

Many attendees had travelled from Canada for this event. The Canadian delegation of MPs was taking part in a 48-hour fact-finding tour organized by the Centre for Israel & Jewish Affairs in Canada. They made a trip to the southern border town of Sderot, targeted by rockets from Gaza since 2001. The group toured hospitals and had a meeting with the widow of an Israeli soldier who had been killed during the latest eruption of fighting between the IDF and Hamas.

The group had arrived in Israel "to see with our eyes, without a media filter, what was going on", in the words of David Sweet, a Hamilton, Ontario Conservative MP. He was "deeply troubled about human loss of life, no matter who they may be", he stated soberly. "The problem that strikes me right now is that Hamas doesn't recognize Israel", said Ted Opitz, a former army lieutenant colonel, now representing the Toronto riding of Etobicoke.

"That makes it very difficult to have a conversation and a negotiation on a settlement", he said, in criticizing Hamas for using Gazans as human shields. Ensuring those Palestinians receive humanitarian aid is seen as a priority by anyone with an ounce of human decency, he feels. "Palestinian people are suffering because their leadership is leading them to this catastrophe."

Carolyn Bennett, a doctor from Toronto and a Liberal Member of Parliament, reiterated that any solution must be pursued and committed to by the parties involved. "As a physician, I know when not to prescribe. We [Canada] will do everything we can to foster and not hinder peace."

Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press    Stephen Harper, seen here on a visit to Israel in January 2014, has been a vocal supporter of the Jewish state.