Harper. Standing by Israel
Photo: Reuters
Canada to allow terror victims to sue in its courts
PM Harper accepts award from Jewish center, says proposed bill to allow lawsuits against terror, anti-Semitism 'even if they damage Canada's popularity'
TORONTO – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Sunday that Israeli terror victims and victims of anti-Semitic acts worldwide will soon be able to sue the perpetrators in Canadian courts.
Speaking at an annual convention held by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Harper said the proposed bill "will allow victims to sue perpetrators and sponsors of terrorist acts, including foreign states".
Avi Benlolo, the director of the center in Toronto, awarded Harper the annual Saul Hayes award. The latter said he would continue to stand by Israel in its "fight against evil".
Hinting at criticism that had been voiced by Muslim groups regarding the bill, Harper said his country would not be deterred from allowing suits to be filed even at the expense of its global popularity.
The Canadian leader spoke proudly of the fact that his country had been first to boycott the UN's 'Durban 2' convention.
He condemned Hamas, and said Canada had been first to suspend contact with the Palestinians after the group seized power over the Gaza Strip in 2007. He also made critical remarks towards Iran and Hizbullah, and added that security had been bolstered at all Jewish and Israeli centers in Canada.
Also in attendance was John R. Bolton, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations. He said the US had known of a North Korean-built nuclear facility in Syria, which was bombed by Israel in late 2007. However, he said, the strike was not authorized by the US government despite evidence brought to its attention by Israel.
