The Jerusalem Post recently covered a reception celebrating Canada Day – and the growing ties between the two democracies. The report noted that attendees of the Jerusalem event, including CIJA representatives, a number of parliamentarians, and Canadian expats, were on hand "to witness Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Canadian Ambassador Paul Hunt sign the renewed Canada- Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation five-year accord."
The report continued:
Guests at the ceremony were welcomed by David M. Weinberg, director of the Israel Office of the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy, which was formerly known as the Canada-Israel Committee. He pointed out that not only were they celebrating Canada and Canada Day, they were doing so in Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish people and of the Jewish state. Among those Weinberg felt compelled to mention was CIJA CEO Shimon Fogel, who was the CEO of the Canada-Israel Committee for 20 years and who came to Israel especially for the occasion. So did several other Canadians, among them outgoing CIC chairman Moshe Ronen, who in praising Harper’s “principled stand” proudly declared, “Our prime minister talks the talk and does the walk. We thank him and applaud him.”
…Kadima MK Yohanan Plesner, the current ICPFA chairman, envisioned CIJA as a bridge-builder between Israel and Canada, with a view to establishing an ever stronger relationship.
Hunt, who expressed his genuine delight at being present, proclaimed that the relationship between the two countries was “never closer, more robust and more promising.” The flourishing cooperation goes beyond both governments, he said, though at government level, Canada’s support for Israel can be seen at the UN, in its refusal to participate in the Durban II conference and the declaration by Harper that Canada would oppose any unfair treatment of Israel.
To read the full report, click here.
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