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Itongadol.- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrived in Israel on Sunday for his first visit to the country. He will also visit the Palestinian Authority and Jordan during his trip. On Monday, Harper is scheduled to speak at the Knesset.
"Prime Minister Harper, my good friend Stephen, welcome to Jerusalem," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday upon welcoming Harper at his office. "I have to say, Stephen, that you are a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people. I\’m not just saying that — I mean it deeply from the bottom of my heart and I speak for all the people of Israel."
Netanyahu continued, saying, "This world is often cynical and hypocritical, and you have shown great moral leadership. When it comes to fighting terrorism, you know that there cannot be any politically correct double talk, but only unequivocal condemnation and united international action.
"When it comes to anti-Semitism, you have stood up unabashedly at the side of Israel and the entire Jewish people, I think at the side of decency and fairness to everyone: Jews and non-Jews alike. And when it comes to Iran\’s repeated calls for Israel\’s annihilation and its unrelenting development of nuclear weapons — you and Canada have stood unflinchingly on the right side of history," he added.
Touching on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, Netanyahu told Harper, "You recognize that a genuine peace, a lasting peace, must be based on mutual recognition and sound security arrangements on the ground. I think in all this and in so many other things, you have shown courage, clarity and conviction."
"And in standing up for the truth, your voice, Stephen, has been an indispensable one," Netanyahu said. "So the people of Israel and I deeply appreciate your friendship and the friendship of the people of Canada to us."
Harper said he would save his substantive remarks for his Knesset speech on Monday, but he did note that he and his wife Laureen were "delighted to be here."
While most visiting heads of state refrain from going to east Jerusalem during official visits to Israel, Harper toured the Mount of Olives on Sunday.
Netanyahu gave Harper gifts for his two children who did not come on the trip to Israel: A signed volleyball for Harper\’s son, and a bracelet and two jerseys of Israel\’s national volleyball team for his daughter.