Satan's Evil Twin Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Canada-Israel 'solidarity' includes defence partnership MacKay tells top military commander 'a threat to Israel is a threat to Canada' The Canadian Press Posted: Jun 20, 2012 9:47 AM ET Last Updated: Jun 20, 2012 9:44 AM ET Defence Minister Peter MacKay, seen here during a press conference with Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak in Ottawa last fall, told Israel's top military commander during a visit to the Middle East in January 2011 that a threat to Israel is a threat to Canada. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press) Israel has received private assurances Canada stands ready to help defend the Jewish state, but just how far the Harper government intends to take that commitment remains unclear. Newly released documents say Defence Minister Peter MacKay told Israel's top military commander, Maj.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, during a2011 visit to the Middle East, that "a threat to Israel is a threat to Canada." The statement came a year after cabinet colleague Peter Kent was upbraided as junior foreign affairs minister for telling a Toronto-based publication that "an attack on Israel would be considered an attack on Canada." The declaration, appearing in an internal summary of MacKay's trip to Israel, could have important implications given the increasing military co-operation between the two countries. Under the Harper government, Canada's support of Israel has been unwavering, even in the face of mounting international tensions over Iran's nuclear program. When he met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Ottawa earlier this year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper emphasized Canada wants to see a peaceful resolution in the troubled region, but it's unclear how far Canada has committed itself in the volatile region. A spokesman for MacKay said the defence minister's comment was intended as an expression of support. "Minister MacKay was making a statement of political solidarity with the Israelis and reminding our friends there that they are not facing global security threats alone," said Jay Paxton in an email. The Israeli embassy declined comment, but pointed to remarks Netanyahu made to Canadian-Jewish publications following a speech by U.S. President Barack Obama on March 5, 2012. "I appreciated the fact he made clear that when it comes to a nuclear-armed Iran, containment is simply not an option, and equally in my judgment, and perhaps most important of all, I appreciated the fact that he said Israel must be able to defend itself, by itself against any threat," the Israeli prime minister said. Defence relationship deepens Canada's military and industrial relationship with Israel has grown enormously. The two countries are negotiating or have signed a series of defence-based agreements over the last few years, details of which have been withheld. The two countries do not have a binding defence arrangement, similar to Canada's obligations under NATO, but critics have begun to question the details and extent of the emerging relationship. "These kinds of comments have consequences," said NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar. "We're talking of a very sensitive part of the world. Every word you use has to be chosen carefully and so the question is: Is this the position of the Canadian government — or the Conservatives — when comes to a conflict in the Middle East?" MacKay's assurances, unearthed by a Queen's University researcher using the federal access-to-information law, came during a Jan. 9-12, 2011, bilateral visit, where MacKay also met with Netanyahu, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and opposition leader Tzipi Livni. To underscore how intertwined trade and defence have become, the Israeli prime minister emphasized "the Iranian threat," but also expressed interest in buying waterbombers from Montreal-based Bombardier and asked MacKay to convey a letter to Harper. Speaking to Barak, MacKay "stated Canada was a solid partner and that both countries were looking through the same filter" on the region, said the Feb. 14, 2011, summary. Dewar said it's no secret the Conservatives have a one-sided approach to the Middle East, but he believes it will ultimately damage relations with Washington. "It's fine to say we are friends of Israel and we support Israel. Sign me up, absolutely," he said. "But Canada's role in the world is to be able to talk to people the Americans can't talk to and to go to places where the U.S. can't." MacKay and Barak signed a memorandum of understanding following their meeting, a document that acts framework to guide defence co-operation. Deal covers intelligence, technology, procurement Documents obtained by The Canadian Press under access to information shed light on the scope of that co-operation, which extends to the exchange of classified information, defence science and technology research, and defence procurement. On the military side, the Canadian air force has taken the lead and "is looking at deepening relations with Israel given its modern and dynamic Air Force," said a July 27, 2011, briefing prepared for MacKay. Also last year, Brig.-Gen Eden Attias was quietly named as Israel's defence attache in Ottawa, the first to be appointed in North America outside of Washington since 1948. The countries have agreed to exchange secret defence information, a matter that required considerable negotiation, according to the documents. Another aspect of the arrangements raises the possibility of joint military procurement. The two countries co-operated extensively when Canada went shopping for drones during the Afghan war and settled on the Israeli-made Heron. The agreements also open the door to more Israeli participation in Canadian defence projects, specifically Elisra Electronics Systems Ltd.'s work on the Halifax-class frigate upgrade. http://www.cbc.ca/ne...kay-israel.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsedin33 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 So we are now directly involved in the middle east's religious war? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 So we are now directly involved in the middle east's religious war? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Evil Twin Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Well...Canada is a multi cultural country.... Here's another question...before you answer for or against. Look back at World War I and II. What would have happened if Canada nor the US got involved when they did? Would the Nazi's have stopped after taking over Europe? What about Japan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Palestine is not Nazi Germany, and if anyone has hints of it, it is Israel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverpig Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Where did I say anything about the Middle East being Nazi Germany? The poll is - are you for or against Canada being in a defence partnership? I simply asked what would have happened if Canada and/or the US didn't get involved in World War I or II? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthNinja Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Where did I say anything about the Middle East being Nazi Germany? The poll is - are you for or against Canada being in a defence partnership? I simply asked what would have happened if Canada and/or the US didn't get involved in World War I or II? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 It's not just a defence partnership though. Israel continues to settle and push Palestinians off their land, and says they can't do anything about it. If anyone does, it's "terrorism" or "religious persecution" or "war". Getting into a defence pact with Israel with no conditions while they continue their settlements and intimidation isn't anything like jumping to the aid of the US after Pearl Harbor, or jumping in to save Europe after it was awash with Nazis gassing undesirables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Am I missing something? Where does it say anything about Canada being in a defensive pact with Israel? This article dwells heavily on statements made by Peter Kent in February of 2010 to an Israeli magazine: http://www.shalomlife.com/news/5150/kent-an-attack-on-israel-is-an-attack-on-canada/ Peter Kent is the Minister of the Environment and has no role in defence. Peter Kent also runs in one of two ridings in Canada with a Jewish majority, and his statements were conicidentally made several months before the last election. Peter Kent has an obligation to the residents of his riding to represent their interests, as an elected official. Obviously, he is going to take a pro-Israel stance. Other than that, yes Canada has been negotiating arms deals with Israel. Canada needs to update their army with modern weaponry, in particular their airfoce. Israel is one of the world's leaders in desiging modern weaponry. Trade between the two countries currently stands at almost 2 billion dollars: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/israel/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/index.aspx?lang=eng&view=d Goods traded include the computer you are currently typing on. The processors for it were designed in Israel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Ed Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Stop making idiotic nazi Germany comparisons. Nobody today is anywhere near that so any comparison is just plain stupid. The only ones I'm concerned about politically are radical Muslims. Who would gladly launch nuclear warheads at israel given the chance. Israel has defended far more than they have attacked. Given the choice of siding between Palestine, other Islamic states or Israel. I take Israel any day of the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Ed Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 And I imagine many of you conspiracists - who I find are the usually anti us/Israel - blow these types of issues way out of proportion. Until details come out, its not clear to what extent this deal would be. So there's no sense in kicking up a bunch of dirt yet. Although personally I would rather avoid involvement that geographical area, for now I'm going to throw a vote to Israel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Evil Twin Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Am I missing something? Where does it say anything about Canada being in a defensive pact with Israel? This article dwells heavily on statements made by Peter Kent in February of 2010 to an Israeli magazine: http://www.shalomlif...tack-on-canada/ Peter Kent is the Minister of the Environment and has no role in defence. Peter Kent also runs in one of two ridings in Canada with a Jewish majority, and his statements were conicidentally made several months before the last election. Peter Kent has an obligation to the residents of his riding to represent their interests, as an elected official. Obviously, he is going to take a pro-Israel stance. Other than that, yes Canada has been negotiating arms deals with Israel. Canada needs to update their army with modern weaponry, in particular their airfoce. Israel is one of the world's leaders in desiging modern weaponry. Trade between the two countries currently stands at almost 2 billion dollars: http://www.canadaint...lang=eng&view=d Goods traded include the computer you are currently typing on. The processors for it were designed in Israel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Ambien Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I wouldn't mind trade with Israel to modernize our weapons if it weren't for the idiocy of blind religious endeavours such as "support Israel" so heavily behind it at the same time. Trade with Israel? Ok. Support them in their stupid, self-perpetuated conflict? No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Evil Twin Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 I wouldn't mind trade with Israel to modernize our weapons if it weren't for the idiocy of blind religious endeavours such as "support Israel" so heavily behind it at the same time. Trade with Israel? Ok. Support them in their stupid, self-perpetuated conflict? No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Yes, you are missing something, like reading comprehension. It does not "dwell" on a statement by Kent (you seem to dwell on him not being relevant though). Kent's statement is mentioned once, and only to to point out that MacKay's statement isn't the first of the kind. The rest of the article "dwells" on statement made by MacKay. You are the one trying to misrepresent the article. It's actually pretty funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Ed Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I'd rather we flip sanctions from Iran to Israel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Evil Twin Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 That quote was made specifically in the context of Iran's ne Actually the article misrepresents the facts pretty solidely. The statement about threats to Israel was made in the context of Iran's nuclear program. Canada, as a signatory to the NPA, has an obligation to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons. A big tip off should be the fact that a whole quote is not used from MacKay. Instead only part of a sentence. Of course you would. Did you not notice the part where it said Canada had been relying heavily on spy equipment and drones from Israel that had been saving Canadian lives in Afghanistan? You'd rather support the nation that executes Canadian citizens: http://www.google.ca...rgDSRLsbjFgNH2Q Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Evil Twin Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Two friends of mine, who just moved to Vancouver from Iran have both had relatives kidnapped by the government there recently. Aparently its common place if suspected of being anti-government or they just want your money. Now maybe there are some details you miss when you aren't an Iranian citizen. So let me enlighten you. Iranian government abuses their own people constantly and deserves any sanctions they get. Not only do their own people want to leave the country, but those who can't are subject to strict enforcement. Like having your home invaded and family members taken with no reason given. Still a friend of mine in Vancouver is waiting to hear from her father. So from my experience in talking to the people the Iranian government deserves everything. Totally convinced their nuclear program should be stopped at all costs. There's a little perspective for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthNinja Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Stop making idiotic nazi Germany comparisons. Nobody today is anywhere near that so any comparison is just plain stupid. The only ones I'm concerned about politically are radical Muslims. Who would gladly launch nuclear warheads at israel given the chance. Israel has defended far more than they have attacked. Given the choice of siding between Palestine, other Islamic states or Israel. I take Israel any day of the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Mods, is there no way to consolodate this all into one thread? There are 4-5 people who are constantly starting lame conspiracy theories about banks, Israel, Really, eh? Would you happen to have the full quote? Because the following directly contradicts what you're saying. A spokesman for Mr. MacKay said the defence minister’s comment was intended as an expression of support. “Minister MacKay was making a statement of political solidarity with the Israelis and reminding our friends there that they are not facing global security threats alone,” Jay Paxton said in an email. http://news.national...wish-commander/ I called you an Israeli shill before, and I'm doing it again, my dear Israeli shill. You know what other nation executed Canadian citizens? America. So... where does THAT leave us? 6 Canadians who faced death row in U.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.