Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was honored by the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) on Thursday, after being ranked third worldwide in their annual list of Israel’s Top 50 Christian Allies.
“Today it is Christians not countries that are standing with Israel,” IAF President Josh Reinstein told the Jewish News Syndicate. “Due to leaders like Stephen Harper, faith-based diplomacy has produced a new stream of support the State of Israel never thought possible…”
The Israel Allies Foundation described why the former PM was selected, pointing to his support for Israel both in and out of Office.
“Stephen Harper distinguished himself as a strong public voice in support of Israel as it battled Hezbollah during the Second Lebanon War and Operation Protective Edge in Gaza,” the IAF wrote. “Under Harper’s leadership, Canada also supported Israel at the UN, including by pulling out of the anti-semitic Durban II Conference. Harper’s support for Israel and willingness to speak frankly about the crimes of Hezbollah and Hamas may have cost Canada a seat on the UN Security Council – a price the principled Harper did not hesitate to pay.”
“Since leaving office,” they continued, “Harper was one of the strongest voices outside the U.S. and Israel in supporting the Trump administration’s pro-Israel initiatives. Harper has always been forthright about his evangelical Christian faith.”
Speaking at the event, which took place near Toronto in the City of Whitby, Harper vowed to continue to use his voice as Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister to defend Israel and condemn anti-Israel Bias.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Israel Allies Foundation in front of so many distinguished friends here at home in Canada. I am proud to continue to use my voice in support of the State of Israel, while addressing and forcefully denouncing the ongoing and very worrisome rise of anti-Semitism,” he underscored.
In 2019, Stephen Harper in partnership with Prager University explained his support for the nation of Israel and stressed that there is no difference between today’s anti-Israel rhetoric and anti-semitism.
“With all the brutal and violent regimes, not only in the Middle East, but around the world, how is one to explain singling out Israel for condemnation?” Harper asked. “Sadly, only one explanation fits: anti-Semitism.”
“Do these haters of Israel question the legitimacy of any other democratic nation? Of any nation, for that matter? Of course, the answer is no,” he asserted. “Somehow, they only manage to oppose the Jewish one.”
“The State of Israel has now existed for 70 years. It is one of the freest, most prosperous, most successful nations on earth,” Harper described. “Why do I support Israel? Why wouldn’t I? Why wouldn’t anyone?”
In the first book of the Bible, God called all the nations and peoples of the earth to support the nation, warning that those who curse the Jewish State will be cursed by Him:
Genesis 12:3 KJV – “And I [God] will bless them that bless thee [Israel], and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
The Shift Against Israel — Harper to Trudeau
Much like the United States, Canada during the last changing hands of Leadership went from a government that blessed Israel, to a government that is actively cursing them by their actions.
The current Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau restored funding to the UNRWA, which was frozen during the leadership of Stephen Harper due to its ties with the Palestinian terror organization Hamas.
In 2019 and 2020, Trudeau voted at the United Nations in favor of an anti-Israel resolution calling on nations to support “the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.” The move was strongly condemned by Jewish groups and others who stressed that by voting in favor of this anti-Israel resolution “Canada is providing ammunition to those who seek to delegitimize and demonize the State of Israel, which ultimately sets back the prospects for peace in the region.”
Additionally, in September of 2022, PM Justin Trudeau voiced his support for a two-state solution, claiming it to be “in everyone’s best interest.”
“The Bible sends a stark and prophetic warning against nations and people that seek to divide the nation of Israel and, specifically, its capital Jerusalem,” Breanna Claussen, Editor in Chief of Harbingers Daily, wrote in a recent article. “A two-state solution advocates for the dividing of Jerusalem, with the east portion of the city being given to the Palestinians for their state capital.”
Zechariah 12:3 states: “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”
As the above verse describes, ultimately in the future “all the people of the earth” will be against Israel, and God Himself “will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (v.9).
Our world is well on its way to this reality, as IAF President Josh Reinstein stated, “Today it is Christians not countries that are standing with Israel.”
