Intent For A Nation: What is Canada For. Michael Byers

to defend Israel’s behaviour can be explained at several levels. He undoubtedly feels sympathy for the past sufferings of the Jewish people, including the Holocaust. He may be influenced by domestic electoral considerations, pro-Israel media moguls and lobbyists. He could be blinded to the complex and evolving nature of the Middle East by a desire to maintain clear distinctions between “right” and “wrong.” It is even conceivable that he believes, along with some evangelical Christians, that another war between Israel and its neighbours is a necessary precursor to the second coming of Christ. But most likely the prime minister just wanted to win points in Washington by aligning himself with the unequivocally pro-Israel position of George W. Bush.

      In any event, Harper’s stance was misguided. By supporting Israel’s disproportionate response, he may have helped embolden the Israelis to continue and intensify their attacks—after all, their actions were receiving public support from the leader of a country widely respected for being impartial. By failing to demand that Israel hold back, he might have exacerbated a situation where tens of thousands of Canadians were desperately seeking to flee Lebanon, and the Canadian government was unprepared to help. One thing is certain: Harper has helped to polarize a world already divided over the “war on terrorism” and Iraq. Consider how upset Muslims were, watching the effects of the Israeli onslaught. Consider how upset some of them were by our prime minister’s one-sided statement. What impact might this have on our future security at home and our soldiers’ efforts to win hearts and minds in Afghanistan?