“On some campuses, intellectualized arguments against Israeli policies thinly mask the underlying realities, such as the shunning of Israeli academics and the harassment of Jewish students. Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state. Think about that. Think about the twisted logic and outright malice behind that: a state, based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law, that was founded so Jews can flourish as Jews, and seek shelter from the shadow of the worst racist experiment in history. That is condemned, and that condemnation is masked in the language of anti-racism. It is nothing short of sickening.”
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressing the Israeli Knesset January 20, 2014 [1]

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Click to download the audio (MP3 format)

This special broadcast of the Global Research News Hour examines the politics of Canada and Israel.

In January, Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper took part in a seven day visit of the Middle East which included four days in Israel. The visit reportedly cost Canadian taxpayers $239,000 and included an entourage of more than 200 people which included representatives from prominent Jewish organizations in Canada. [2]

The Harper government has distinguished itself as the most Israel-friendly Canadian government in recent history, but is this stance significantly at odds with other Canadian governments historically?

Not according to Yves Engler. The Canadian Foreign Policy critic and author of Canada and Israel: Building Apartheid wrote an article in January explaining that Canada’s embrace of Zionism is rooted in Christianity and the British Empire’s desire historically to maintain geo-strategic dominance in the Middle East. Engler expands on this thesis in the first half hour of the programme.

Are there economic as well as political and personal considerations underwriting Canada’s cozy relationship with Israel? Long time Anti-War activist and researcher with the Coalition Opposed to the Arms Trade Richard Sanders published a two part series: “Profiting from Israeli Apartheid” in his magazine Press For Conversion. He details the benefits derived by Canadians through Canadian Pension Plan investments in Israel’s military, police and prison-industrial infrastructure which targets Palestinians. Richard Sanders joins the Global Research News Hour in the latter half of the show.

Finally, University of Guelph Emeritus Professor of Literary Studies Michael Keefer, author of Antisemitism Real and Imagined: Responses to the Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism deconstructs the attempts by Harper and other parliamentarians to paint legitimate criticism of Israel as anti-semitism.

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Click to download the audio (MP3 format)

The Global Research News Hour, hosted by Michael Welch, airs on CKUW 95.9FM in Winnipeg Fridays at 1pm CDT. The programme is also broadcast weekly (Monday, 5-6pm ET) by theProgressive Radio Network in the US, and is available for download on the Global Research website.

Community Radio Stations carrying the Global Research News Hour:

CHLY 101.7fm in Nanaimo, B.C – Thursdays at 1pm PT

Port Perry Radio in Port Perry, Ontario – Thursdays at 1pm ET

Notes

1) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/read-the-full-text-of-harpers-historic-speech-to-israels-knesset/article16406371/?page=2

2) Bruce Campion-Smith, The Toronto Star, Feb 21, 2014; “Stephen Harper’s Middle East trip cost $239,000”; http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/02/21/stephen_harpers_middle_east_trip_cost_239000.html