Canada goes against the crowd, downplays criticism of Israel's attempt at blocking peace. Netanyanhu - Polidicks

[QUOTE] [IMG]http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/3f7/news/politics/article4574306.ece/ALTERNATES/w620/SKP102_US_CDA_Harper_Netanyahu_20120928.JPG[/IMG] [B]Canada stood apart Monday from some major allies, the U.S. included, in refusing to condemn Israeli plans for new settlements in areas claimed by the Palestinians.[/B] On Friday,[B] Israel announced plans to build 3,000 settler homes in the West Bank and east Jerusalem to punish the Palestinians for winning greater recognition[/B] at the United Nations General Assembly the previous day. The [B]United States, which joined with Canada, Israel and six other countries in opposing the Palestinian move at the UN, broke ranks Monday to directly criticize Israel.[/B] The White House and State Department said the Israeli announcement would hinder the resumption of peace talks. In addition, [B]five European countries pulled their ambassadors from Israel on Monday to protest the new settlement plan.[/B] Germany, meanwhile, said Monday it took a "very negative view" of the settlement announcement. Previously, the [B]UN has warned the move could be an "almost fatal blow" to the peace process.[/B] The spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird stuck Monday to the same response line: "Unilateral actions on either side do not advance the peace process." [B]Baird's office refused to say whether the government stands by the established government policy that says Israeli settlements are a "serious obstacle" to peace.[/B] [B]Stephen Harper's spokesman refused to say whether the prime minister raised the question of the new settlement construction when he spoke Saturday by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.[/B] "No further comment on the call — the PM's tweet will stand," Andrew MacDougall said in an emailed response to questions. "I can state that Canada's position is that unilateral actions on either side do not advance the peace process." [B]Harper's Twitter account said Saturday:[/B][B] "Spoke today to Benjamin Netanyahu, who thanked Canada for its friendship and principled position this week at the UN."[/B] [B]U.S. calls on Israel to reconsider[/B] Canada's allies were more vocal about the new Israeli settlement plans, including on the contentious patch of land known as E1, outside Jerusalem. "We urge Israeli leaders to reconsider these unilateral decisions and exercise restraint as these actions are counterproductive and make it harder to resume direct negotiations to achieve a two-state solution," said White House spokesman Jay Carney. [B]U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the E1 "area is particularly sensitive and construction there would be especially damaging to efforts to achieve a two-state solution."[/B] Building on E1 would effectively prevent any future Palestinian state from having a contiguous border, undermining hope of creating a viable state. Carney also reiterated the White House's "long standing opposition to Israeli settlement activity and east Jerusalem construction." [B]The Conservative government in Ottawa appeared to be intent on distancing itself from that similarly-held view.[/B] "As referred to in UN Security Council Resolutions 446 and 465, Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The settlements also constitute a serious obstacle to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace," states the Foreign Affairs Department website. "Canada believes that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority must fully respect international human rights and humanitarian law which is key to ensuring the protection of civilians, and can contribute to the creation of a climate conducive to achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement." The Canadian Press asked Baird's spokesman in an email whether the government still held that view. The response was: "Unilateral actions on either side do not advance the peace process." The spokesman declined a request to elaborate. The head of Amnesty International Canada called on the government to speak more forcefully against the new settlement plan, as other countries are now doing. "It's unfortunate to simply characterize this as being a unilateral action. These are human rights violations. These are breaches of international humanitarian law. This isn't simply deciding to do something unilaterally," said Alex Neve. Given that Israel is making a deliberately timed settlement announcement, Neve said: "I think the response from Canada should be equally clear and not left to implicit interpretation as to what Canada is or is not saying, or is or is not concerned about." [B]Netanyahu's office was unbowed Monday by the pressure it was facing from abroad.[/B] [B]"Israel will continue to stand up for its essential interests even in the face of international pressure, and there will be no change in the decision taken," said a statement from his office.[/B] "The Palestinians' unilateral step at the UN is a blatant and fundamental violation of the agreements vouched on by the international community. It should come as no surprise that Israel did not sit idly by following the Palestinians' unilateral steps."[/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/12/03/pol-cp-canada-israel-settlements-crictism-europe-us.html"]cbc[/URL] Harper is a disgrace to all peace loving Canadians.

Harper sucks way too much right wing dick. And in all the bad corporatist and imperialist ways

[img]http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lk6c7fNanC1qj1esxo1_500.jpg[/img] You see, Harper? See what you've done? shame.

Sad on you Harper, even though I do not live in Canada. Well I at least have the U.S. can be still be a bitch for Israel, that I live in.

[QUOTE=rsa1988;38697638]Sad on you Harper, even though I do not live in Canada. Well I at least have the U.S. can be still be a bitch for Israel, that I live in.[/QUOTE] Pardon?

[QUOTE=The golden;38697667]Election please.[/QUOTE] Unless the GG calls an election we're stuck until 2015.

[QUOTE=Prez;38697684]Unless the GG calls an election we're stuck until 2015.[/QUOTE] I hope the liberals don't gain ground before then, NDP needs more votes to win and having the other parties split in popularity isn't going to help them win.

Maybe this bullshit with Israel will turn Canadians against Harper so much he's doomed in the next election. Maybe.

This man is the prime example of why I wish we had an easier way to kick out a Prime Minister during a majority government.

[QUOTE=archangel125;38697955]Maybe this bullshit with Israel will turn Canadians against Harper so much he's doomed in the next election. Maybe.[/QUOTE] But who do we vote for? Ignatieff is a bond villain, Layton died, and Justin Trudeau will probably fuck up the economy like his old man

Fuck I wanted him out of office years ago. Fuck harper

[QUOTE=Broguts;38697986]But who do we vote for? Ignatieff is a bond villain, Layton died, and Justin Trudeau will probably fuck up the economy like his old man[/QUOTE] Theres this guy: [IMG]http://theindependent.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Mulcair02.jpg[/IMG]

Oh Steve. You dull emotionless robot you. 2015 needs to get here already. Too bad the opposition isn't much better than ol' Stephen..

[QUOTE=Dreltox;38698130]Oh Steve. You dull emotionless robot you. 2015 needs to get here already. Too bad the opposition isn't much better than ol' Stephen..[/QUOTE] NDP are way better then Harper. Thats magnitudes better then any other politician in North America.

Is there a Canadian version of Ron Paul for all the college white kids to talk about that nobody actually votes for?

Here's hoping he rigged the election.

[QUOTE=person11;38698188]Is there a Canadian version of Ron Paul for all the college white kids to talk about that nobody actually votes for?[/QUOTE] We had the rhino party at one point, except they were [b]trying[/b] to be a joke :v:

If only every country had a batshit insane fringe politician who could be a source of comedy to everyone like Ron Paul was. I know France has Le Pen, but she actually got like 18% of the vote, which is more scary than funny. The BNP is also kinda funny.

[QUOTE=person11;38698548]If only every country had a batshit insane fringe politician who could be a source of comedy to everyone like Ron Paul was.[/QUOTE] Dude why the fuck would you even bring him up? You just want to derail the thread, I can't think of any other explanation.

I don't want to live in this country anymore.

[QUOTE=The golden;38698308]He probably did but it'll take over 4 years for Elections Canada to actually get their asses in gear. Harper will be done and gone by then.[/QUOTE] Assumptions like that are ridiculous and unfounded. It figures that this thread would be just completely full of people calling Harper some sort of evil war-mongering robot. I disagree with his party's stance towards Palestine, but the title is horribly sensationalized, it doesn't look like there is anywhere in that article that Harper or any of his cabinet said that they outright support these new settlements, though because he didn't outright condemn them people assume he supports them. I really just think we should not involve ourselves in Israel or Palestine's politics, and all I can see from this article is that we're doing just that, not getting involved by not taking a stance on the settlements. I see nowhere that it actually says he supported the settlements. Also, Thomas Mulcair is never going to get elected because he managed to alienate all NDP support out west, and he'd be a terrible choice because he'd ruin our economy by shutting down the natural resource sector by taxing it to the point that it's not profitable, and likely taxing big commerce and manufacturing the same way. Then there's Trudeau, whose only claim to fame is his father, but that's undortunately enough to make him a real contender. I hope Harper resigns as leader of the Tories by 2015, though that likely won't happen, because I'd like to see a whole round of fresh faces in the house. Has Harper fucked up? Yes, but he's not being as bad as most people try to claim he is. Where's the condemnation of the president of the Czech Republic for doing essentially the same thing as Harper, opposing Palestinian statehood then not taking a stance on the settlements? And I fail to see how he's a disgrace to peace-loving Canadians, it's not like he's sending our troops over to Israel to help them oppress the Palestinians. It sometimes seems like people over exaggerate Harper's stance on things just so they can get mad at him for it and try to justify the anger by attempting to call him some sort of dictator or something. I wonder what the stance of the opposition has been on this whole issue, that seems rather underreported. Given our historically friendly stance with Israel, I wouldn't really be surprised if the opposition held a similar stance on the settlements, indifference. [editline]4th December 2012[/editline] Actually, our government officially opposes the existence of these settlements, as outlined in the Harper government's 2012 policy on Israel: [quote=Foreign Affairs Canada]Occupied Territories and Settlements Canada does not recognize permanent Israeli control over territories occupied in 1967 (the Golan Heights, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip). The Fourth Geneva Convention applies in the occupied territories and establishes Israel's obligations as an occupying power, in particular with respect to the humane treatment of the inhabitants of the occupied territories. As referred to in UN Security Council Resolutions 446 and 465, Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The settlements also constitute a serious obstacle to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.[/quote] [url]http://www.international.gc.ca/name-anmo/peace_process-processus_paix/canadian_policy-politique_canadienne.aspx?lang=eng&view=d[/url] So no, Harper does not and is not supporting these latest settlements.

DaCommie, you occasionally have some good points, but you're like the official Harper apologist. Don't forget that Canada voted against Palestinian statehood along with the USA. Harper's a cocksucker, and he's running this show.

God I hope one of the opposition parties can scrape together a viable candidate by 2015. Otherwise I probably just won't vote.

Fuck off, Harper. We should like... give Alberta to Texas and let them seceed togther, then maybe we might be able to get something other than a shakey conservative majority..

Wait diden't this Harper dude just critizise Israel? Why are ya'll hating on him? He stood up against Israel fucks sake!

[QUOTE=Strider*;38698871]Dude why the fuck would you even bring him up? You just want to derail the thread, I can't think of any other explanation.[/QUOTE] I was just curious is all.

[QUOTE=person11;38701997]I was just curious is all.[/QUOTE] I can't think of a Ron Paul for Canada. Jack Layton was really popular among college students, but he was also really successful and actually a good politician, so it's not comparable. Then he died.

[QUOTE=archangel125;38701385]DaCommie, you occasionally have some good points, but you're like the official Harper apologist. Don't forget that Canada voted against Palestinian statehood along with the USA. Harper's a cocksucker, and he's running this show.[/QUOTE] Canada voted against Palestinian statehood because even though officially it supports it, it sees Palestine going to the UN as trying to circumvent proper peace negotiations with Israel. Canada believes that the matter of Palestinian statehood needs to be dealt with by Israel and Palestine themselves, and it sees Palestine asking the UN to recognize it as ignoring any negotiations with Israel to try to come to a peaceful resolution with Israel on the appropriate borders and logistics of creating a peaceful Palestinian state. Basically, we voted against it because we felt that it was an "easy way out," and a resolution that wouldn't actually solve anything, and would seek only to piss Israel off more because it would be unable to negotiate a settlement with Palestine about the creation of a Palestinian state, and guess what? It only pissed Israel off, and Palestine is still an occupied territory. We opposed the vote because we knew it wouldn't accomplish anything, because we knew it wouldn't be an effective way to go about this. Palestinian statehood is something that needs to be worked out between Israel and Palestine, and short of declaring war on Israel, there's very little the international stage can do to change that. As for me being a "Harper apologist," I just get tired of people treating politicians like they're Hitler or Stalin or something over one policy or another. Yes, I'm a generally right-wing person, and as such I tend to favour and defend right-wing politicians, though even still if someone was going to call Mulcair or Trudeau something like a dirty Stalinist commie who's going to circumvent democracy in Canada and turn us into a dictatorship, which is kinda the mentality a lot of people here take towards Harper, I'd say no, that's ridiculous. I have my reasons for not liking them, I outline those reasons, and I will admit though that at times I have applied the "slippery slope" fallacy to both parties due to their stance on gun control being unfounded in fact, but I'm not going to come out and say something like "They have this policy I don't like, they must have rigged the election to get into power, they're worse than Hitler and we should sue them out of power." Which is the response most people give on here when the name "Stephen Harper" is brought up. I don't like Harper, I think the Tories need fresh blood on the chopping block in 2015, but people slag him far too much for all the wrong reasons, and I usually end up being the one counter to largely irrational and mis-founded hatred and hyperbole of how bad he may really be. No politician is perfect, but too often I see people slagging him for one slight mis-step in policy while ignoring the fact that because of him Canada's economy is in internationally comparatively great shape, and is the envy of Europe. Is it bad that he's not taking a very steadfast and hugely public stance on denouncing Israel's actions, possibly, but people are acting as if he's gone out and said "Yeah, fuck those Palestinians, they deserve this, those shits!" He's basically taken a stance of indifference, he's not going to pose further condemnation than what's already outlined in our policy on Israel, because quite frankly we honestly can't do anything about it. People are acting as if not further condemning Israel is therefore supporting it, but it's not, it's taking a neutral stance beyond our official policy, and officially we oppose things like this, and Israel already knows that. We really have no reason to pose a further condemnation. This entire CBC article is literally making a big deal out of nothing, there is literally nothing that happened here, but it's that lack of something that apparently the CBC wants to make a huge deal about, because they think something should have happened. Now that they've said something, something probably will happen, but there's really no need or point for it to happen, we have things we can spend time on domestically that we actually have control over that we could be putting effort towards, such as debating Bill C-30, rather than reiterating our official position over something we can't change halfway around the world.

Hurr durr if this keep up I'm moving to America!

[QUOTE=MIPS;38700287]I don't want to live in this country anymore.[/QUOTE] Yeah you doooo You live in BC of all places, as if you'd want to leave. If anything just move to the countryside.