Canada To Send 'Tough Message' On Violence To Ally Israel
OTTAWA - Canada's new Liberal government said on Monday it was delivering a "tough message" to Israel as a good friend after expressing concern about Israeli-Palestinian violence, Israeli settlements and unilateral Palestinian moves.
The statement came a day after Foreign Minister Stephane Dion was criticized for saying Palestinian initiatives toward statehood in international forums and continued Israeli settlements were unhelpful.
"We're steadfast allies and good friends, and good friends can occasionally deliver tough messages, but it's by no means to suggest that we're somehow retreating from any kind of support of Israel," said Joe Pickerill, Dion's spokesman.
Dion on Sunday had issued a statement expressing concern about the conflict, sparking charges by the Conservative opposition that the Liberal government was being unfairly critical of Israel.
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http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Canada-to-send-tough-message-on-violence-to-ally-Israel-442740