Calgary, Canada – Canadian PM Uses Menorah Lighting To Reaffirm Support For Israel

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    Prime Minister Stephen Harper, right, looks on as Erich von Sass, second from left, lights a Menorah during a lighting ceremony at the Calgary Jewish Community Centre in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. AP/Jeff McIntoshCalgary, Canada – Prime Minister Stephen Harper reaffirmed his government’s ongoing support for Israel at a Menorah lighting in his Calgary riding Thursday night.

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    Harper and his wife Laureen were greeted by hundreds of cheering supporters at the Calgary Jewish Community Centre as part of the celebration of Hanukkah.

    “We unfortunately look around the world and … don’t forget about the terrible trials and threats that the Jewish people still face in so many countries including in the homeland, the state of Israel,” said Harper, who wore a traditional yarmulke.

    “That’s something we always remember, we always make sure as a government that we make it clear we stand by the Jewish people and we stand by Israel.”

    Harper drew a few chuckles when he talked about his long history of participating in Hanukkah celebrations, saying it began with his father.

    “My late father always said as a Christian, never forget about the Jewish people at Christmas.”

    The president of the Calgary Jewish Federation welcomed Harper’s presence and his government’s ongoing support. In the audience were Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and federal Status of Women Minister Rona Ambrose.

    “I thank you on behalf of Calgary’s Jewish community and for your government’s steadfast support of the state of Israel and its people,” said Adam Singer.

    “Your government has consistently upheld Israel’s right to defend itself, supported Israel’s right to exist and urged the release of Israel’s captive soldiers.

    “We appreciate and admire the conscientious positions your government has taken on many occasions and in many places.”


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    15 Comments
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    NeveAliza
    NeveAliza
    12 years ago

    Stephen Harper for President !!! (I’m sure we can work around the birth certificate issue.)

    cool-3931
    cool-3931
    12 years ago

    Canada is very lucky to have Stephen Harper as their Prime Minister. A great friend to the Jews and a great friend of Israel. We here in the US admire him and appreciate his friendship. In my mind its Stephen Harper and US president George W. Bush that are the best friends that Israel and Jews all over will ever know….. And Lakewood police chief Robert Lawson……

    Crazykanoiy
    Crazykanoiy
    12 years ago

    PM is a true friend of Israel. He has the courage and moral convictions of a true leader.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    12 years ago

    Did a single Yid bother to tell Harper that Canada is their homeland and not the medinah?
    If not they’ll be accused of dual loyalty and told to leave Canada and go ro their beloved medinah!!!

    MosheM
    MosheM
    12 years ago

    Stephen Harper is a true oheiv yisrael! One of very few.

    grandson1
    grandson1
    12 years ago

    Can we trade Hussein Obama for Prime Minister Harper. He is so much more of a mensch than the guy we have running this great country.

    12 years ago

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper is from the Chasidei Umos Haolom…Our weak government needs to learn from our neighbors…

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    12 years ago

    Prime Minister Harper, I am an orthodox Jew and my homeland is Canada where I was born and so were my parents and grandparents. Not your beloved State of Israel!

    tana-upalig
    tana-upalig
    12 years ago

    one of the chasidei umas haolam, a real ohev yisrael.

    12 years ago

    I love Israel.
    I love Stephen Harper.
    I love Canada.
    #12 above – unfortunately you are correct.