Canadian PM Stephen Harper Observes Israel's 60th birthday

Prime Minister Stephen harper addresses the United Jewish Appeal Federation, affirming "Canada's unshakable support for Israel!" and assuring those in attendance that "Our government believes that those who threaten Israel also threaten Canada!" He also couragously asserted "In this ongoing battle, Canada stands side by side with the state of Israel, our friend and ally in the democratic family of nations. We have stood with Israel even when it has not been popularto do so and we will contrinue to stand with Israel just as we have said we would!"

Here is the first part of the speech and I for one thank Prime Minister Harper for the courage of his conviction and standing up for this dymanic oasis of democracy and hope in a part of the world that so desperately needs both!


(Check aganst delivery)
I am truly honoured.All of my life, Israel has been a symbol, a symbol of the triumph of hope and faith! After 1945, our battered world desperately needed to be lifted out of postwar darkness and despair.After so much pain and suffering, humanity offered comforting and optimism.After so much death and destruction, we needed renewal. The renewal of the dream of the better and more civilized world. In short, we needed to be INSPIRED and it was the people who had suffered MOST who provided that inspiration.

By their example, they led the world back to the light. From shattered Europe and other countries, near and far. The descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob made their way home. Their pilgrimage was the culmination of a 2,000 year old dream. It is a tribute to the unconquestionable human aspiration for freedom and a testament to the indomitable sprit of the Jewish people!

Ce soir derniers annees, Israel est devenu un de pays le plus prospere du monde!

In the sixty years that followed, Israel blossomed into one of the most successful countries on earth. A land of ingenuity and enterprise, an oasis of agricultural genius, a wellspring of fine art and high culture, a model of democracy, Israel truly is the miracle in the desert.

But the source of Israel's strength and success is in my view, its commitment to the values of all civilized people - freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Soon, I hope to have the opportunity to travel to Israel, to see the miracle with my own eyes; to see how millions of people from all over the earth with their countless different languages and traditions, came together to build a modern, prosperous, vibrant, democratic country. It is a pilgrimage I have wanted to make for a long time but my determination to do so was redoubled this spring after I visited Auschwitz . I want to see first hand what the survivors of the Holocaust and their descendents have accomplished. For theirs is truly an achievement of resilience and renewal unsurpassed in the annals of human history.

I also want to go to deliver in person the message of Canada's unshakable support for Israel!

Malaheursement, a 60 ans, I'Israel demere ne pays menace. Menace par une groups et une regime qui ni juste que une jours son doit d'exister! Unfortunately, Israel at 60 remains a country under threat, threatened by these groups and regimes who deny to this very day its right to exist!

And why? And why friends?

Make NO mistake! Look beyond the thinly veiled rationalizations. Because they hate Israel, just as they hate the Jewish people. Let me tell you friends. Our government believes that those who threaten Israel also threaten Canada!

As the last world war showed, hatred and bigorty against SOME is ultimately a threat to us all and must be resisted wherever it may lurk.

In this ongoing battle, Canada stands side by side with the state of Israel, our friend and ally in the democratic family of nations. We have stood with Israel even when it has not been popularto do so and we will contrinue to stand with Israel just as we have said we would! One of his best speeches imho! Shalom Mr. Harper!