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."
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."
