There's hardly been a sour note in the Canadian media about Big Steve's Holy Land holiday. In fact, many a news platform was today pleased to report a ringing endorsement of our PM from no less an authority on international relations than Sarah Palin.
Which should give us pause...
But this evening the CBC News website has this headline for us; Stephen Harper's visit garners scant coverage or praise from Israeli media.
Here's a quote from Barak Ravid of Haaretz; "...he is a friend of Benjamin Netanyahu more than he is a true friend of Israel... his support for the policies of the government of Israel is blind."
Meanwhile at the JPost, Zehava Gal-On had this observation; "I feel his head is in the sand and he hasn't seen what's really happening here."
Amen.
Showing posts with label Harper in the Holy Land. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harper in the Holy Land. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Canadian PM Harper wins standing ovation for anti-Arab hate speech in Knesset
PM Harper didn't miss many cliches in his droolingly sycophantic speech before the Israeli parliament today. He even managed to marvel at how the "people of Israel" managed to make the desert bloom!
When Mr. Harper talks about "the people of Israel" he is not talking about Israeli citizens per se; no, his speech makes clear that his admiration is only for Jewish citizens of the state of Israel. The other 20% of the population are non-entities. When talking about "the people of Israel" Harper is referencing the "Israelites" of his Judeo-Christian tradition.
Harpers theological roots lie in a conservative fundamentalist sect called the Christian Missionary Alliance. Like their literalist counterparts in Judaism, they accept that the Land of Israel is the Land of Israel because God rendered it thus. Beyond that article of faith no justification or rationale is required. Hence anyone who questions modern Israel's expansionist agenda, illegal occupation and history of ethnic cleansing is simply denying God's will.
That's why we expected the slavish adulation Harper expressed towards his audience.
But he gave them even more than he had to.
While Israel, or at least its Jewish population, defines everything that is noble and just and courageous and decent in humanity, there are bad people around. And who might those be?
Those who scorn modernity, who loathe the liberty of others, and who hold the differences of peoples and cultures in contempt. Those who often begin by hating the Jews, but, history show us, end up hating anyone who is not them. Those forces, which have threatened the state of Israel every day of its existence, and which, today, as 9/11 graphically showed us, threaten us all.
While you wouldn't know it listening to Mr. Harper, Jews and Muslims have managed to get along reasonably well throughout most of their shared history. The persecution of Jews has always been primarily a Christian undertaking.
Which is why, were I one of those smug folks sitting in the Knesset listening to Mr. Harper, I'd be having some doubts about the authenticity of the friendship he never stops talking about.
When Mr. Harper talks about "the people of Israel" he is not talking about Israeli citizens per se; no, his speech makes clear that his admiration is only for Jewish citizens of the state of Israel. The other 20% of the population are non-entities. When talking about "the people of Israel" Harper is referencing the "Israelites" of his Judeo-Christian tradition.
Harpers theological roots lie in a conservative fundamentalist sect called the Christian Missionary Alliance. Like their literalist counterparts in Judaism, they accept that the Land of Israel is the Land of Israel because God rendered it thus. Beyond that article of faith no justification or rationale is required. Hence anyone who questions modern Israel's expansionist agenda, illegal occupation and history of ethnic cleansing is simply denying God's will.
That's why we expected the slavish adulation Harper expressed towards his audience.
But he gave them even more than he had to.
While Israel, or at least its Jewish population, defines everything that is noble and just and courageous and decent in humanity, there are bad people around. And who might those be?
Those who scorn modernity, who loathe the liberty of others, and who hold the differences of peoples and cultures in contempt. Those who often begin by hating the Jews, but, history show us, end up hating anyone who is not them. Those forces, which have threatened the state of Israel every day of its existence, and which, today, as 9/11 graphically showed us, threaten us all.
While you wouldn't know it listening to Mr. Harper, Jews and Muslims have managed to get along reasonably well throughout most of their shared history. The persecution of Jews has always been primarily a Christian undertaking.
Which is why, were I one of those smug folks sitting in the Knesset listening to Mr. Harper, I'd be having some doubts about the authenticity of the friendship he never stops talking about.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Who's up for a free trip to Israel?
The think tank here at Falling Downs is more than a little miffed that our invite for Big Steve's Holy Land junket got "lost in the mail," as a spokesperson from the PMO put it after a frantic call I made when I realized the plane was leaving without us.
Well, maybe we're outta luck, but Big Steve has put together the biggest trade delegation-religious pilgrimage ever, including 21 rabbis, a couple of dozen Christian ministers, and... what? No imams?
I know how they feel!
The imams, I mean.
But what the heck, it would be small-minded of me to begrudge the 250 free-loaders their free trip. After all, Israel is a "growing" part of Canada's international trade picture, accounting for approximately $2b in annual trade. That's about 5% of the trade we do with the US state of Michigan, so there's lots of room for improvement, and what with all those men of God along on the trip, God Himself is sure to bestow His blessings on Canada- Israel trade like never before.
Aside from the many men of God there are also a goodly number of Harper cronies enjoying the trip simply because it's free. What is Stockwell Day's purpose on the trip, for example?
The rest of the delegation is comprised mainly of Conservative-friendly CEO's and lobbyists who don't necessarily see any business opportunities in Israel, but didn't want to offend the PM by declining the invite.
Besides, it's a balmy 21C in Tel Aviv today, compared to -3C in Ottawa.
And it's free!
Well, maybe we're outta luck, but Big Steve has put together the biggest trade delegation-religious pilgrimage ever, including 21 rabbis, a couple of dozen Christian ministers, and... what? No imams?
I know how they feel!
The imams, I mean.
But what the heck, it would be small-minded of me to begrudge the 250 free-loaders their free trip. After all, Israel is a "growing" part of Canada's international trade picture, accounting for approximately $2b in annual trade. That's about 5% of the trade we do with the US state of Michigan, so there's lots of room for improvement, and what with all those men of God along on the trip, God Himself is sure to bestow His blessings on Canada- Israel trade like never before.
Aside from the many men of God there are also a goodly number of Harper cronies enjoying the trip simply because it's free. What is Stockwell Day's purpose on the trip, for example?
The rest of the delegation is comprised mainly of Conservative-friendly CEO's and lobbyists who don't necessarily see any business opportunities in Israel, but didn't want to offend the PM by declining the invite.
Besides, it's a balmy 21C in Tel Aviv today, compared to -3C in Ottawa.
And it's free!
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