Canada Condemns Hezbollah Attack On 'Region's Only Democracy'
Canadian FM John Baird calls Hezbollah a 'brutal terror group bent on Israel's destruction'; supports Israel's right to self-defense.
By Cynthia Blank
First Publish: 1/29/2015, 9:00 AM
Canada strongly condemned Hezbollah's deadly attack on an IDF convoy Wednesday, and reiterated its belief in Israel's right to defend itself from "brutal terrorist organizations."
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, fresh from his recent trip to Israel, issued the statement Wednesday night.
“Canada condemns the assault by Hezbollah on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that tragically killed two IDF members. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those lost and injured."
"Canada also extends its condolences to the family and friends of the Spanish UN peacekeeper killed in the exchange."
“Hezbollah, another Iranian proxy, is a brutal terrorist organization bent on the destruction of Israel. Canada fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself by itself."
Continuing, Baird criticized the "destructive force" of Iran and accused it of working toward Israel's annihilation.
“This is just another example of the threats Israel faces - from Gaza to Southern Lebanon and Syria - from all proxies funded, trained and materially supported by Iran. It illustrates the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran and the need for the international community to ensure that never becomes a reality."
“Iran is a destructive force in the region, contributing to much of the current instability. The international community must condemn today’s assault and stand by the only liberal democracy in the region, which is far too often on the front lines in the struggle against terrorism.”
Canada's southern neighbor, the United States, also stood by Israel Wednesday as it exchanged fire with Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon.
"We support Israel's legitimate right to self-defense and continue to urge all parties to respect the blue line between Israel and Lebanon," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
"We urge all parties to refrain from any action that could escalate the situation," Psaki said, adding Washington was closely monitoring the situation.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/190657
COMMENT
The impression I have of Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird is that he might be what I'd call a 'useful idiot'.
It sounds like somebody unscrewed the top of his head and inserted what's becoming a rather familiar, official, pro-Israeli narrative, which he's regurgitating.
The other impression I get is that Baird's visit to Ramallah (West Bank) wasn't well received:
Some 100 Palestinian protesters hurled eggs at Canadian Foreign Minister
John Baird as he was visiting Ramallah. Canada is among the nations
resisting Palestinian efforts to gain recognition as a state in
international organizations.
SOURCE - RT News
Here's more on that from Press TV:
The Palestinian youths gathered in protest against the Canadian
government’s pro-Israeli stance, including its recent decision to vote
against a Palestinian bid at the United Nations Security Council to end
the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories by 2017.
Baird’s
recent request from chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, to
apologize for likening “Israeli terrorism” to the atrocities committed
by Takfiri ISIL militants, has also angered Palestinians.
In
response, Erekat demanded that Baird apologize to the Palestinian people
for “going out of his way to legitimize the banality and brutality of a
50-year-old Israeli occupation” of Palestinian territories.
Earlier, the Canadian foreign minister had also condemned the Palestinian bid to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).
No idea what the first-mentioned call for apology is about. It sounds as if Baird called for an apology?
Yep, looks like that's what Baird's done:
The office of Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird wants the Palestinian
Authority’s chief negotiator to apologize for equating Israel with ISIS,
saying the “offensive and ridiculous” comments undermined the fight
against the Islamist terror group.
In a speech in Jericho on Monday, Saeb Erekat likened Israeli
settlement-building in the West Bank to ISIS terrorism. “There is no
difference between the terrorism practiced by the group led by [ISIS
leader] Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and Israel’s terrorism,” he said. “Ending
settlement activities is a prerequisite for eliminating terrorism.”
Had no idea Canadians could be so entertaining.
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