Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper began his first official visit to Israel on Sunday, with his Israeli counterpart hailing him as a "great friend" of the Jewish state and people.
Canada is one of Israel's staunchest allies and was one of the few countries that opposed a successful Palestinian bid for upgraded status at the United Nations in 2012.
"Prime Minister Harper, my good friend Stephen, welcome to Israel," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a reception in his Jerusalem office in honor of the first visiting Canadian premier since 2000.
"You are a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people," Netanyahu said, noting Harper's "courage, clarity and conviction" on "fighting terror," anti-Semitism and the diplomatic process with the Palestinians.
"And when it comes to Iran's repeated calls for Israel's annihilation and its unrelenting development of nuclear weapons -- you and Canada stood unflinchingly on the right side of history," Netanyahu said.
Harper said he and his delegation were "delighted to be in Israel."
TWEET YOUR COMMENT