By COLlive reporter
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was greeted with open arms and wide smiles as he began a 4-day official trip to Israel on Sunday.
“The Israelis are giving him almost a heroes welcome,” reported Lee-Anne Goodman of the Canadian Press. “They consider him the world leader who is absolutely Israel’s best friend.”
Waiting for him at the at Ben Gurion International Airport was Foreign Minister Avigdor Leiberman.
Harper and his wife Laureen traveled in a motorcade to Mount of Olives to take in its spectacular views of Old Jerusalem. At various points along the way, children stood at the side of the road to watch the motorcade go by.
“I have to say Stephen that you are a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people. I’m not just saying that. I mean that deeply from the bottom of my heart and I speak for all the people of Israel,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
“When it comes to anti-Semitism, you’ve stood unabashedly at the side of Israel and the entire Jewish people,” Netanyahu told Harper, who came with 208 people, including rabbis, businessman and lay leaders.
A line-up of 15 Conservative parliamentarians, including Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, International Trade Minister Ed Fast and Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver flew in.
Representatives from Chabad-Lubavitch are there alongside B’Nai Brith Canada, the Jewish National Fund of Canada, the Jewish Federations of Canada, as well as Air Canada, Suncor Energy, Bombardier Aerospace and Christian groups.
Leading the Chabad representation are Rabbi Berel Mockin, Director of Lubavitch Youth Organization in Montreal, Quebec, and Rabbi Zalman A. Grossbaum, Director Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario, who join Harper each year in lighting a menorah on Chanukah.
Attending from Ontario are Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman, Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman and Rabbi Chaim Mendelsohn.
From Quebec there is philanthropist R’ Yitzchok Gniwisch. Coming from British Columbia is Rabbi Yitzchok Wineberg, Rabbi Menachem M. Matusof from Alberta, Rabbi Shmuel Altein from Manitoba and Rabbi Mendel Feldman from Nova Scotia.
The Toronto Star said the unusually large contingent on this foreign visit reflects the importance Harper’s government attaches to the trip.
Harper is scheduled to visit the Kotel, the Yad Vashem holocaust museum and address the Knesset parliament on Monday.
Thank you, Mister Prime Minister. May Hashem bless you, your family and all of Canada!
We are SOOOO happy you went to Israel!!! Having a great time here! Enjoy and may you be priviledged to go many more times!
Our prINCIPLE HAD THE HONOUR TO TRAVEL WITH OUR SPECIAL PRIME MINISTER WHO DOES SO MUCH GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY. WOAH MRS janowski #DITCHING # TEACHERS ROOM
for being a friend of E”Y and the Yidden
May Hashem guide him to do the right thing at the right time
What’s your point?
Dovid
Yasher koach to Rabbi Chaim Mendelsohn from Ottawa who organized for all the Chabad Shluchim to be part of the delegation..
So glad we were able to see you here in the holy land 😉
Verify your facts before you speak. Have you ever even been to montreal??!? 🙂
Is one of the Shluchim on this trip
Chaim Mendelsohn? Mendy Kaplan?
of all the Canadian Prime MInisters….we are privileged to live in Canada and only wish on all our friends in the USA better luck with your leader….may it be soon …make me understand better how Moshiach will change Shibud Malchuyos bilvad…
These Rabbis deserve to be part of this delegation, but were not ‘asked’ to be part of this delegation. Each one had his own connection to a MP (Member of Parliament) or other elected official, and that is how they got on the list. Call a spade a spade.
More people in California
the prime minister donated thousands to chabad winnipeg. he is a true friend of the rebbe bh. ken yirbu.
This shliach and his wife do amazing work in Winnipeg!
They give their lives to do the rebbes work and be there for fellow Jews!!! Kol hakavod!!
school’s going great! 😉
someone all head Shuluchim can learn from.
Rabbi Motchkin…!
he has in mind the Rebbe only!
Visionary shliach and builder. Aside for building a community he has helped countless people publicly and privately. Good choice.
The vast majority of Jews and Rabbonim in Canada are Ashkenasim, end of story.
Not one sephardic rabbi?
thanks for your leadership throughout the entire canada g-d bless you.
You guys are a true example of chesed, may Hashem give the 2 of you the health and the koach to continue all the good work that you do. You are truly the best people around. Montreal is so lucky to have you
GREATEST SHLIACH EVER
The true shluchim in Ontario!
You are the best grandparents anyone can ask for. Have fun in Israel! !
Rabbi Zaltsman you are the best..
Make sure to voice your opinion to Bibi to not talk about giving back land other wise Chas V’sholom…..
from Winnipeg-
at times it may be minus 50 degrees but the shlichus ALWAYS forges ahead-
we are SO proud of you and Adina
and what about mrs Janowski and her husband also attended mr. steven harper on this awesome trip to israel!!!
GO CANADA!!!!!
I think rabbi kaplan was an excellent choice.
I remember that Mr Harper was there for him when he opened his new chabad bldng!
I wish our elected USA officials would be as Tzadeekaiy umos haoilam as is Mr Harper-God bless him!