Canada supports Israel: PM

Canada supports Israel: PM: "TORONTO -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper mounted a vigorous defence on Wednesday of his government's Middle East policy, saying support for Israel is 'fundamental to what this nation has always stood for.'

Speaking to a B'nai Brith dinner in Toronto, Harper made no apologies for his government siding with the Jewish state during this summer's fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

'When it comes to dealing with a war between Israel and a terrorist organization, this country and this government cannot and will never be neutral,' Harper said in a speech that drew several standing ovations from the more than 1,000 members of the Jewish human rights group. 'This position is rooted in what we have long stood for as a country.'

The prime minister said he was not deterred by criticism from the opposition parties, who this summer called the Conservative government's unqualified support for Israel a repudiation of Canada's traditional role in the Middle East.

'That is simply not accurate,' he said. 'Rather than charting a new (policy) course, we are restoring Canada to its traditional and true role: Principled leadership in world affairs ... a Canada that knows where it stands.'

And Harper said it is ultimately in Canada's best interests to support Israel." Read complete post here.