Toronto Sun: Canada condemns Israel’s expansion plans

[tuvor]

OTTAWA — Canada is taking a harder stand against Israel's move to establish more settlement homes in East Jerusalem and plans to press the issue when it hosts an international conference of foreign ministers this month.

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said Canada firmly believes in two sovereign states living side by side and that it takes a dim view of Israel's expansion plans.

"We feel this is contrary to international law and therefore condemn it," he told MPs on the Commons foreign affairs meeting. "We're very concerned with what is taking place."

Cannon said the government is in discussions with like-minded countries and has engaged dialogue with both Israeli and Arab leaders to urge them to "jump start" peace talks. He intends to bring the issue to the table at the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting in Gatineau, Que., at month's end.

...

http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/03/16/13251896-qmi.html

[Spazito]

1. Hmmm....

I must admit I am surprised given the previous 'tone' set by the harper cabal being one of appeasement to Israel instead of attempting the role of honest broker.

I am actually agreeing with something said by a CON, I can hardly believe it, lol. I suspect, though, there may well be a 'clarifying' correction to come soon, I hope not.

[tuvor]

2. Just adopting the US stance, imo.

This "condemnation" took the Conservatives nearly a week to announce.

[Spazito]

3. In this case, I say better late than never, I would have bet on never...

primarily because harper has been emulating his idol bush to the extreme and we know the bush cabal would NEVER have spoken as the Obama administration has on this latest 'crisis'. Cannon went much further in his (the government's) condemnation than the Obama admin did by clearly stating "it is against international law" in referencing the building of settlement homes in East Jerusalem.

I am taking a side bet, though, there will be some sort of backtracking sooner than later.