Ignatieff and Harper agree on Gaza

[Keepitsimple]

It looks like their is hope for Canadian politics after all:

Ignatieff says Israel must be allowed to defend itself from Hamas attacks

By The Canadian Press

HALIFAX, N.S. - Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff says Israel is justified in taking military action to defend itself against attacks by Hamas from the Gaza Strip.

"Canada has to support the right of a democratic country to defend itself," he told reporters in Halifax on Thursday after speaking to a forum of business leaders on the economy.

"Israel has been attacked from Gaza, not just last year, but for almost 10 years. They evacuated from Gaza so there is no occupation in Gaza."

Earlier this week, Canada condemned Palestinian fighters for endangering the lives of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Peter Kent, the newly minted minister of state for Foreign Affairs, blamed the Palestinians' duly elected government in Gaza for compromising the safety and welfare of its own civilians.

"The position of the government of Canada is that Hamas bears the burden of responsibility for the deepening humanitarian tragedy," Kent said.

"Until they commit to a permanent ceasefire - a truly permanent ceasefire, a durable ceasefire - and don't use it as a break to re-arm and resume rocketing, the fighting will go on."

Ignatieff also said Hamas shoulders the blame.

"Hamas is a terrorist organization and Canada can't touch Hamas with a 10-foot pole," he said. "Hamas is to blame for organizing and instigating these rocket attacks and then for sheltering among civilian populations."

Ignatieff said Canada must do whatever it can to get humanitarian and medical relief into Gaza when there is a ceasefire, but rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas must stop first.

Canada should also continue to work towards a lasting solution to the conflict, he said.

"Ultimately this thing has to end with an Israel that is recognized, is safe and secure . . . and living side-by-side in peace with a Palestinian state," Ignatieff said.

Link: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090108/.../ignatieff_gaza

[punked]

Iggy sucks read his NYT articles he sucks. Keep Pushing the left of your party out, the right has already gone to the Cons soon you will have no one.

[Vancouver King]

Iggy sucks read his NYT articles he sucks. Keep Pushing the left of your party out, the right has already gone to the Cons soon you will have no one.

Iggy sounded positively leftist today at his town hall meeting, demanding tax cuts for middle and lower earners plus enhanced EI benefits. Could he be continuing the great Liberal tradition of campaigning from the left but once in power ruling from the right?

[scribblet]

wow, good for Iggy, he's taking the moral ground here and not bowing down to propaganda. I'm favourably impressed.

[punked]

Iggy sounded positively leftist today at his town hall meeting, demanding tax cuts for middle and lower earners plus enhanced EI benefits. Could he be continuing the great Liberal tradition of campaigning from the left but once in power ruling from the right?

I should think so.

[Peter F]

Coming soon: Ignatief and Harper consider how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

[tango]

wow, good for Iggy, he's taking the moral ground here and not bowing down to propaganda. I'm favourably impressed.

I beg to differ.

Unfortunately, he's "taking the moral ground" and sticking it where the sun don't shine, while his mouth spews pure Bushaganda.

I'm thoroughly disgusted.

[KeyStone]

Well.

I don't know if I would say it's a moral stand.

Looks more like they've figured out an easy way to get donor money.

Did Iggy get the CJC to approve it first, before he released it.

He thought this was a war crime until Schwartz and Reisman pulled their support.

I wonder how much the Palestinians would have to donate to convince him it's a war crime again?

Edited January 9, 2009 by KeyStone

[myata]

Of course, the way in which "democracy" has chosen to "defend itself" doesn't really come into question. At all. Astounding. But we should already know about Ignatieff's creative exploration of things moral and legitimate, like Bush's war in Iraq, or using torture to ensure security. Why this should be a surprise?

Go ahead, Mr. Ignatieff. I'll stand by and watch.

[ToadBrother]

Coming soon: Ignatief and Harper consider how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

And after that, the ever-popular "Can you spot the meaningful differences in platform" game?

[normanchateau]

I don't know if I would say it's a moral stand.

I suppose it depends on whether you view it as moral to defend yourself when others are shooting rockets into your country. If rockets were being indiscriminately fired into Canada, I would hope that our leaders would choose to defend us rather than appease the terrorists.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Iggy is starting to make himself heard. He will continue to seek and stake out middle ground. Israel is not a good place to start, but international affairs dictate the need.

[normanchateau]

Iggy is starting to make himself heard. He will continue to seek and stake out middle ground.

Not everyone views being pro-Israel as middle ground. Some have described it as being right-wing.

[blueblood]

Not everyone views being pro-Israel as middle ground. Some have described it as being right-wing.

Most would describe it as logical

[Oleg Bach]

Not everyone views being pro-Israel as middle ground. Some have described it as being right-wing.

The whole concept of Israel is so far left that it is now extremist right wing. There is only one solution - and that would be the assimulation of Palistine and change the name back to the kingdom of Judea - or call the whole place Palistine.Jewish culture has a long history of intrigue and corruption - some how they are proud of being the decendants of bad asses. Special treatment of the Jews should end and all semites (Arab and Jew) should blend - how about some of that Canadian multi-culturalism that liberal Jews in Canada love to spread about - what's good for the goose is good for the gander - time to blend in!

[Mr.Canada]

This is just more suckling at the Jewish teet for votes, nothing more. Jews control a lot of business and media and these two are smart enough to know that Jews have influence over a large number of the electorate. Jews are the power brokers in any election. Whomever the Jewish community wants as PM will be PM most of the time. Simple as that.

[madmax]

This is just more suckling at the Jewish teet for votes, nothing more. Jews control a lot of business and media and these two are smart enough to know that Jews have influence over a large number of the electorate. Jews are the power brokers in any election. Whomever the Jewish community wants as PM will be PM most of the time. Simple as that.

Your statements are disturbing.