Canada will continue to stand by Israel “through fire and water” as it defends itself against terrorist threats on Canadian soil that have created a “dark and dangerous time” for this nation, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a speech to members of the Jewish community who honored him in Montreal on Thursday.
“What is the difference between Hamas and Israel, and ISIS and us?” Harper asked in a speech to accept a humanitarian award for his support of Israel from the Jewish Community Council of Montreal.
“There is just one thing. Hamas is a lot closer to Israel than ISIS is to us. Israel is the front line of free democratic nations, and any who turn their back on Israel or turn a blind eye to the nature of Israel’s enemies do so in the long run at their own peril.”
The Jewish Community Council of Montreal, a non-profit organization that was founded in 1922 and is responsible for certification of Kosher products, made the prime minister the first recipient of its King David award. King David of Israel was a central figure in the Old Testament who united Israel and who led victorious battles against the Philistines.
Throughout his speech to hundreds of guests at a dinner in a Montreal hotel banquet hall, Harper drew parallels between Canada and Israel and their enemies, saying that global threats to freedom and democracy may begin by targeting Israel but spread around the world.
“Those who hate democracy and freedom, tolerance and openness having been plotting attacks against Western nations, beginning with Israel, for decades, seeking to destroy our rare and precious way of life,” Harper said.
“We were told for years to just ignore the erosion of freedoms and the growing aggression of Putin’s Russia. Look where that has taken the world.”
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Long live the honourable Stephen Harper! A proud model Democrat, fearless world leader, and true friend of Israel. G-d bless you, and may there be more like you.