March 6, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario

President Katsav, I am honoured to welcome you to Canada. You join the distinguished company of Israeli Prime Ministers and Presidents who have been embraced by Canada with open arms. From David Ben Gurion to Chaim Herzog to Yitzak Rabin, whose personal legacy of courage and sacrifice continues to inspire us.

Like these pillars of Israel you have brought to the office of President a distinguished record of public service. A record made singular by your roots in Iran and the fact that you are the first president of Israel to speak Farsi.

This is testimony to the dynamic diversity that is so much a part of the Israel of today.

Mr. President your presence here, at this time of trial and tribulation for Israel, is a fitting symbol of the enduring kinship between Canada and Israel. One enriched by unbreakable bonds of family, of shared values of freedom and democracy and of common causes. And by a vibrant Jewish Canadian community that is one of the building stones of the Canadian identity and experience.

But it is also a kinship based on respect. In which we discuss our differences freely and openly. Always secure in mutual trust and confidence. In this regard I would like to commend the Canada-Israel Committee for its leadership role in communicating the challenges facing Israel to Canadians.

Mr. President, it has been said that friendship is a horizon which expands whenever we approach it. In my judgment, these words perfectly capture the essence of the friendship between Canada and Israel. A friendship that reaches back over 50 years. A friendship that grows ever stronger.

We were by your side when the Jewish people realized the dream of a thousand generations. The re-birth of a Jewish homeland. For more than five decades the right of Israel to secure borders and to live in peace with her neighbours has remained the touchstone of Canadian policy and action in the Middle East.

From the Nobel Peace Prize winning efforts of Lester B. Pearson to today, the commitment of Canada to peacekeeping and peace building has never wavered. Canadian soldiers have served in peacekeeping operations in the Sinai and Golan Heights for more than 25 years and will continue to serve as long as we are needed. As Gavel Holder of the Refugee Working Group, we are leaders in the search for a solution to the Palestinian refugee problem.

Canada and Israel have shared and enjoy the vibrancy of our two cultures. Canadians have revelled in the richness of Israeli music, theatre, literature and art. We avidly read the works of your foremost authors. Just as Mordecai Richler and Margaret Atwood are very popular in Israel. Canadians see the latest Israeli plays and attend numerous Israeli exhibits at our museums. And our National Arts Centre Orchestra under the leadership of Pinchas Zukerman has brought a uniquely pleasing brand of cultural diplomacy to the Middle East.

We are thrilled at the keen interest that Israelis have shown in Canada through the highly successful Canadian Studies Programme at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Canada and Israel have become strong partners in innovation. Through the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Fund, we have forged partnerships in health care and other areas that will benefit both of our countries.

We have also become partners in prosperity. Canadians have actively encouraged the development of Israel's diverse economy through joint enterprise, investment and trade. But our business relations reached a new level with the signing of the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement in 1997. The first such agreement for Canada outside of the Western hemisphere. And I am very pleased to note that as we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Agreement, our two-way trade will soon pass the $1 billion mark for the first time. A 100 percent increase since the agreement was signed.

Canada has stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel in the fight to protect the rights of Jewish people everywhere. We have promoted the full participation of Israel in the UN. During the sad spectacle of Durban last year we insisted on fighting for fairness for Israel. And we will continue to oppose any effort to undermine the legitimacy of Israel at the UN or in any other international forum.

Ladies and gentlemen, Canada has rejoiced at the triumphs of Israel. We shared the incredible hope that accompanied the visit of Anwar Sadat to Jerusalem. Like the world, we were heartened over the past decade as a just and lasting peace seemed to come close.

But since then and all too often, we have shared the sorrow of Israel as the promise of peace has receded and as terror has been unleashed on her people. We continue to express our horror and outrage at the mounting toll of innocent lives. Too many Israelis and too many Palestinians are dying. Too many families are suffering.

There is nothing in our experience that can capture the fear that Israelis now live with. Every hour of every day. Where allowing your children to go to a pizza parlour or a disco or just to play in the park can be a choice between life and death.

Let me reaffirm tonight that there is no justification whatsoever for acts of terror against innocent civilians.

Canada condemns without equivocation the use of violence for political objectives by any state or group.

Moreover, we have called on Yasser Arafat as leader of the Palestinian Authority to live up to his responsibilities. And to take strong and effective action against extremist groups who continue to use the territory under his authority for safe harbour.

Under the trying circumstances of recent months, Canada understands how difficult it is for Israelis to hear calls for patience and restraint. It is very hard to talk about peace in the face of fresh grief and fresh attacks by suicide bombers. But my friends we must continue to talk about peace. Because there is no alternative to peace.

And as Moshe Dayan said: "If you want to make peace you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies." They have to have hope and to know that by rejecting the false promise of violence there will be a brighter future for their children.

When I met Foreign Minister Peres in New York just a few weeks ago, I commended him for his tireless efforts to find solutions to this conflict. Solutions that would bring security and dignity to all the peoples of the region.

Mr. President you have said that creative thinking is essential to ending the violence. You have sought to travel to Ramallah to extend a hand of peace to your Palestinian neighbours. You have expressed openness to discussing a proposal from Saudi Arabia. I commend you. Because it is essential to give every hope for peace a real chance.

These are courageous steps that deserve recognition here tonight.

The spirit that motivated you reflects the deepest desires of Israel to enjoy the promise of peace. As a friend of Israel, I pledge to you here tonight that Canada will continue to pursue that promise in any way we can until the promise is realized.

It is only through negotiations that we can reach a lasting solution which provides dignity and security for all. For Israelis and for Palestinians. But let there be no mistake. As far as Canada is concerned, there can be no just or lasting peace without a full guarantee of a safe and secure Israel.

As I said at the outset Mr. President, the friendship between Canada and Israel is a horizon which expands whenever we approach it. The hope and sorrow that we have shared have only brought us closer.

Canada is convinced of the resilience of Israel. Confident of your desire for a just peace. And inspired by the courage of your people.

May our friendship continue to go from strength to strength!

- 30 -