Harper: Canada supports Israel because it is right to do so

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed the Knesset on Monday as part of his four-day visit to Israel and the West Bank. He became the first Canadian leader to address the Israeli government. In a speech full of praise for the Jewish State, Harper emphasized the strong ties between the two countries, even mentioning the Canadian army's use of Israeli technologies in Afghanistan. He told Israeli parliamentarians that Canada supports Israel because it is a moral imperative: “Canada supports Israel because it is right to do so. It is a Canadian tradition to stand for what is principled and just, regardless of whether it is convenient or popular," he said.Before the Canadian leader's address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a short speech highlighting the unique position Harper enjoys as a supporter of Israel in the international community, saying: "There are those who try to deny our connection to Jerusalem and our land. Not you. You know these facts well. There are others in the international community who know these facts as well, but the difference, Stephen, is that you have the courage to speak the truth." Netanyahu, who was heckled at times, criticized the international hypocrisy that characterizes discourse of Israel versus the Arab world. He said: "In an age of hypocrisy there are those who choose to point the finger at Israel, the only democracy in the region that respects human rights, maintains the rule of law, and guarantees the freedom of worship to any and all faiths." He told Harper, "Canada under your leadership is a moral compass and a beacon of candor. You fight against the attempts to deprive Israel of its legitimacy and you stand by us in the war on terror." In a well-received speech, the Canadian prime minister reiterated his government's position that "Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is absolute and non-negotiable" – a position many in the government see as a precondition for the successful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.