Search the Community

Baird breaks 46 years of Canadian and Western policy and decides to meet Israeli officials in the, internationally recognized, occupied East Jerusalem, further embarrassing Canada. Is Baird's action, the actions of a real diplomat? How far is this government willing to go in ruining Canada's image as a supporter of international law and human rights? When Foreign Minister John Baird crossed the Green Line this week to meet with Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni in the mostly Arab sector of east Jerusalem, he broke with 46 years of Canadian government and Western policy. But was it by accident or design? Under Canadian policy over East Jerusalem, the unilateral annexation by Israel is not recognized. “Since 1967, when Israel occupied the eastern parts of the city, it’s been our policy that Canadian officials not meet with Israeli officials in east Jerusalem,” said Michael Bell, a former Canadian ambassador to Israel and the Palestinian territories, as well as to Egypt and Jordan. “Our policy was part of a Western consensus,” he said. “The idea behind it was that such meetings would amount to de facto recognition of Israel’s claim to sovereignty over the area.” So why is the Harper government so eager to please the right wing, Zionist government of Israel? “My Prime Minister has praised Prime Minister [stephen] Harper and Foreign Minister [John] Baird on numerous occasions.” Everybody loves a poodle. Link