Conservatives reject unprincipled Liberal silence on anti-Israel resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council

OTTAWA, ON – The Hon. Peter Kent, Conservative Critic for Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Conservatives will always recognize Israel’s right to exist, its right to defend itself, by itself, and the historic fact and right of a Jewish presence in Jerusalem. We strongly reject the wording of this United Nations resolution which appears to suggest that the Western Wall and East Jerusalem should become part of a Palestinian state. We are also disappointed in the actions of the outgoing Obama administration, which abandoned historic United States precedent by refusing to veto this one-sided and prejudiced resolution.

“Now, more than ever, Israel needs its friends and allies. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Israel had no greater friend than Canada. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. And the reasons for this are purely political.

“Every action the Liberals have taken to date in terms of their foreign policy has been towards one goal and one goal only: securing a seat on the United Nations Security Council. Standing up for Canada’s national interests, and the interests of our allies, has come second to the Liberal Party goal of appeasing the UN. The silence from the Liberal government on this anti-Israeli resolution is shameful, but it is not surprising.

“Conservatives will never sacrifice principle for a go along to get along approach. The fact is Israel is a democratic, pluralistic, peaceful and scientifically advanced country. People from all faiths and walks of life contribute to Israeli governance and civil society. With this resolution, the United Nations Security Council has needlessly damaged the peace process.

“The deafening silence on this resolution from Canada’s Liberal government, and especially from Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion, has once again shown that Liberals put their political goals ahead of standing up for Canada’s allies and our national interest.”