Hours after Hamas was sworn in as the government of the Palestinian authority, Foreign affairs Minister Peter Mackay and Intergovernmental Cooperation Minister Josée Verner announced that Canada would cease all contact with the Hamas cabinet and would suspend Canadian aid to the Pa. These actions were taken because the new government refused to renounce violence or recognize the state of Israel's right to exist.
The action of the Canadian government was of a type that has not been seen in this country during the previous 13 years of Liberal rule. In light of recent events, there is no doubt that the Canadian government should be commended not only for acting but for doing what was right.
On Monday, a suicide bomber blew up a fast-food restaurant in Tel aviv, killing 9 innocent people. Hamas has kept more or less to the unilateral truce that was announced last year and the Iranian backed Islamic Jihad took responsibility for the attack. What was significant was the reaction to the killing by the new Palestinian government. Representatives of the Hamas government said that the killings were justified because of the occupation, by which they mean occupation of the entire country of Israel, and that the suicide bombing amounted to an act of self defense.
Were the Liberals still in power and being supported by their little buddies, the NDP, the hard earned money from Canadian taxpayers would still be sent to aid a government that not only wants to destroy Israel, but justifies killing babies and other innocents as self defense. Paul Martin would have mumbled something, as only he could mumble, about the blowing up of the fast food restaurant being "unacceptable" while continuing to write cheques to the Palestinians. It is refreshing to have a government that actually takes action rather than talking about taking action or bragging about what a great role Canada plays in the world while doing absolutely nothing. Despite the former Liberal government mouthing the right words about security being a top priority (along with every other issue that was at some time or other a top priority), opposing terrorist killers was always secondary to trying to maximize Liberal votes. The Liberals would not have stopped payments to the Hamas-led Palestinian authority lest they anger some of their "ethnic voters" in Canada. Knowing which way the wind was blowing (for all the good that did last January) was always the prime directive for the Liberals. Whether you agree with the Conservatives or not, it was nice to see the government take a stand and make a principled decision.
Not only did the Canadian government take a stand but Canada became the first country to suspend funds and cut off diplomatic ties with the Palestinian authority's terrorist regime. It's not surprising that Canada acted more quickly than the EU or UN, especially since the latter doesn't seem to care that Hamas continues to call for the annihilation of another one of its member states. But Canada actually beat the United States in cutting off ties with the Pa. Preempting the U.S. makes it hard to argue that Stephen Harper is a Bush clone (or as comedian Robin Williams so eloquently put it, a Bush baby). Canada finally has its own foreign policy back and, depending on how long the Conservatives remain in power, the suspension of funds to Hamas could end up being Stephen Harper's finest hour.
There will be a lot of hand wringing from the Canada's left who continue to whine about Hamas being democratically elected and because of that, they should not only be diplomatically recognized but given money to support their terrorist government. Harper will undoubtedly pretend that these whiners are all members of the media and ignore them.
The Harper Conservatives not only made a quick and strong decision --they made the right decision.
Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2024 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2024 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement