LARRY ZOLF:
Harper's Mideast policy
CBC News Viewpoint | July 17, 2006 | More from Larry Zolf
Veteran journalist and Canadian political expert Larry Zolf is a regular contributor to CBC News Online. Larry has been a critic, reporter, producer and consultant for CBC news and current affairs since he joined the CBC in 1962. Born and raised in North End Winnipeg, the hotbed of general strikes and socialism, Larry has covered stories such as integration in Mississippi and the October Crisis in Quebec. He was one of the hosts of the CBCs flagship current affairs television show "This Hour Has 7 Days." He is now retired.
Prime Minister Harper's role in the recent Mideast crisis is interesting, and one that his own External Affairs Department may not be quite comfortable with. External Affairs has always been less than enthusiastic about Israel.
Canada's attitude to Israel has traditionally tended to be even-handed, but under Paul Martin, Canada at the United Nations voted several times to condemn Israel for its policies.
There are about 20 to 25 seats in Canada that have a sizable Jewish presence, and these seats have always been Liberal. The Reform party under Preston Manning and the Tories under Harper did not get anywhere with the Jewish vote.
The NDP has been tilting against Israel for years, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees has called for a boycott of Israel. The left in Canada is pro-Palestinian.
Canada has never been as pro-Israel as the United States. The U.S. has millions of Jews and both the Republicans and Democrats are blatantly pro-Israel. George W. Bush's war against terror is also a war in defence of Israel's right to exist and be recognized.
Bush has said about the recent Mideast crisis that Israel was only defending itself against Hamas and Hezbollah rockets, kidnappings and infiltration. But Bush has expressed concern about Lebanon.
In the Mideast crisis, only Harper has come out 100 percent for Israel. Harper is now Israel's best friend.
Harper understands that the Tories have received little of the Jewish vote, perhaps because they are a bit too socially conservative and right of centre for the traditionally small 'l' liberal Jewish vote.
Normally one would have to say Canadian Jewry would be a tough group for Harper's Tories to win over.
But that is exactly what Harper has done. Harper's stand on Israel could get Harper his majority government, even if he does not break through in Quebec.
Harper is not just playing politics in the Mideast. Harper does believe that Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorist groups in cahoots with Iran. Harper has condemned Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran for not abandoning terror and for refusing to recognize Israel.
Harper is a genuine fan of Israel and Canadian Jewry. Harper's love of Israel makes him even more of a supporter of Israel than Brian Mulroney.
The key to a majority
Harper's pro-Israel stand has outflanked the Liberals. His support for the war on terror and Afghanistan is entirely compatible with his 100 per cent support of Israel and 100 per cent denial of Israel's enemies.
The Liberals, split on Afghanistan, have said nothing about Israel's right to defend itself. The Liberals are split on Israel, as they are on Afghanistan. Michael Ignatieff is pro-Afghanistan, but he has said nothing about the present Mideast crisis and Israel.
Harper agrees with Israel that it faces threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and Syria. He has condemned this quartet as violently anti-Israel and pro-terrorist.
Harper's championship of Israel is a personal and philosophical. He admires Israel's toughness and its military elan. Like Mulroney, Harper has a deeply ingrained understanding of the problems Israel faces.
Harper banned Hamas, designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization and has repeatedly attacked Iran for its vicious anti-Semitism, its backing of terror against Israel and refusal to recognize the Jewish state.
The Liberals and the left in Canada may condemn Harper for his pro-Israel stand in the current Mideast crisis, but Harper remains steadfast, and this defence of Israel will likely win him the votes of Canadian Jewry. Harper's Mideast policies could prove to be the key to a Harper majority government.
Harper's Zionism will also guarantee that the Jewish community will sympathize with Harper's war in Afghanistan, and Canada's Jewish community is an influential one in Canadian media and business circles.
Harper's Mideast policies reflect Harper's own deep beliefs in Israel, but these policies also reflect Harper's keen sense of political strategy.
LETTERS:
I didn't read Zolf's column before responding to John Gray's; presumed he would be somewhat supportive. He did an excellent job of putting Harper's statements in cold political perspective.
Vote counting is paramount with his strategy, and I suppose Harper deserves full marks for steely nerve, but the fallout of face saving will cost us millions that could be so much better spent! Doesn't provide much hope for Canada speaking as a force for peace!
—Jeanne Lamb
Larry Zolf's article on why Harper backs Israel is right on the mark. Harper is just showing his true red-neck colors for what they are. A policy of fairness toward the Middle Eastern combatants has never been on his mind, nor even open for debate.
Not only is he calculating that his stance on supporting what, ironically could be described as a neo-Fascist government, might garner enough liberal-minded Jews to put him over the top in the next election, but he is also hoping to impress his boss to the south.
One thing is becoming apparent: Canada's stature in the world is slip-sliding from one of pseudo-independence to that of overt servitude to the United States as Harper continues attempts to impress his buddy south of the 49th parallel.
Why so many so-called nationalists support a Prime Minister who demonstrates an overt lack of patriotism, befuddles the mind. Patriots like Harper speak the language of continental ism - an old American idea, one as old as their Declaration of Independence.
—Gregory Devine | Que.
Sadly Mr. Zolf's article reiterates many of the same falsehoods that were used to force the creation of Israel when deep thinkers on this difficult issue recommended an single state solution and the internationalization of Jerusalem.
The premier intellectual offense committed here is the concept of the Jewish vote. People of the Jewish faith like all others are comprised of individuals who are capable of free and independent thought as inconvenient as this is for Zionists of all kinds.
The unspoken assumption here is that people of the Jewish religion are all and should be Zionists. This simply is not true and does not reflect the teachings of Judaism. Mr. Zolf's failure to clearly identify himself as a Zionist is at best unprofessional.
Mr. Zolf does correctly identify however Mr. Harper as a Zionist largely coming from a conservative Christian agenda. This deeply disturbs me, as it should all Canadians no matter what their political stripe or religion, as this is a clear indication of Mr. Harper's inability to distinguish between reality and his religiously conditioned view.
Mr. Zolf also correctly notes that Zionists are tremendously influential and support for this group which has a proven track record of exerting influence could definitely prove helpful to Mr. Harper in gaining a majority government.
What is most unfortunate, is that CBC didn't seek to put forward an alternative viewpoint, thus reinforcing the ignorant views that have led to the blind support of the state of Israel rather than support of the people living in Palestine without regard to their religion.
—Trevor Wiens | Edmonton
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