George Galloway

Mr. Speaker, yes, Mr. Galloway has bragged openly about giving money to Hamas. Hamas is an anti-Semitic death cult responsible for the deaths of countless Palestinians and Israelis, and is quite appropriately classified as a terrorist organization in Canada.

Minister of State Kent to Engage Israel on Americas Strategy

The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), today announced that he will visit Israel from August 31 to September 8, 2010, to launch Canada-Israel discussions on the Americas.

Human Rights

Hon. Peter Kent (Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), CPC):
 
Again, Mr. Speaker, Canada’s words and actions at the United Nations and in other world bodies are very clear. We have censured the behaviour of Iran in these areas on any number of violations of human rights. We will continue to participate in international bodies working against these continuing violations by the Iranian regime.

Foreign Affairs

Hon. Peter Kent (Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), CPC):  

    Mr. Speaker, Canada is heartened by the number of states which have indicated they will indeed vote for our candidacy for the non-permanent seat on the Security Council and it is because of the leadership which we will demonstrate at the G8 and G20 conferences.
    As my colleague knows, nuclear non-proliferation is one of the three pillars: non-proliferation, disarmament, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy by all countries, signatories and otherwise.

Foreign Affairs

Hon. Peter Kent (Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), CPC):  

    Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

    As the Prime Minister stated in the House yesterday, Canada deeply regrets the loss of life and the injuries suffered off the coast of Gaza on May 31, and extends sympathies to the families.
    In fact, in response to the direct question today, Canada does support a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation into this tragic incident, but at the same time, we call on all states and international bodies not to rush to judgment before all of the information is known.

Nuclear Disarmament

Hon. Peter Kent (Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), CPC):  

    Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague knows, Canada is indeed a champion of non-proliferation, but unilateral declarations are quite unworkable.

    I think as we proceed with the discussions at the United Nations over the coming weeks, this may be a topic of discussion.

Liberal Spokesman Critical of Government for Marking Auschwitz Anniversary

In a shocking statement, Ignatieff spokesman M.P. Borys Wrzesnewskyj today attacked Immigration Minister Jason Kenney for attending the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi death camp.
 
Minister Kenney is in Poland this week to represent Canada at the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the camp where Adolf Hitler’s regime systematically murdered over one million Jews, Poles and other ethnic groups.  Incredibly, Wrzesnewskyj criticized the Minister’s trip to mark this sombre occasion as a ‘jaunt’. He suggested that Canada should not be represented.

Israel

Mr. Speaker, under this government, Canadians know that we lead by example. Canada was the first country to refuse to attend Durban II, a forum for hate. When Hamas formed the government of the Palestinian Authority, Canada was the first country to suspend aid.

Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague.  I can assure him that Canada’s position has not changed. Canada considers settlement expansion unhelpful to efforts to restart peace negotiations. At the same time, Canada urges both parties to refrain from any unilateral actions that undermine the resumption of direct bilateral negotiations.

Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, one might quibble in terms of the proximity of Israel’s closest ally but, as I said, our long-standing position has not changed. We do consider settlement expansion to be unhelpful to the peace process.