Canada-Israel relations

Canada-Israel relations are the relations between Canada and the State of Israel.

History

During the past sixty years, Canada and Israel have shared a warm friendship. At the United Nations in 1947, Canada was one of the thirty-three countries that voted in favour of the creation of a Jewish homeland. Over the subsequent five decades, relations have blossomed in many ways, premised on mutual respect, shared commitment to democratic values, common interests, friendship and understanding.

Canada's relationship with Israel began in 1947, when Canada was represented on the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP). Canada and 32 other countries voted in favour of a Jewish state, thus beginning a longstanding relationship with Israel based on a shared commitment to democratic values, understanding, and mutual respect.

Canada delayed granting "de facto" recognition to Israel until December 1948, and finally gave full "de jure" recognition to the new nation on May 11, 1949, only after it was admitted into the United Nations (UN). A week later, Avraham Harman became Israel's first Consul General in Canada. In September 1953, the Canadian Embassy opened in Tel Aviv and Israeli Ambassador to Canada, Michael Comay, was appointed, although a non-resident Canadian Ambassador to Israel was not appointed until 1958.

Trade relations between the two countries soon developed. Canada exports agricultural products and raw materials to Israel, which, in turn, exports diamonds, textiles, clothing, and food products to Canada.

In May 1961, David Ben-Gurion was the first Israeli Prime Minister to make an official visit to Canada, and since then officials from both countries have visited frequently.Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers and Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada have visited Israel demonstrating the ever strengthening relationship. In addition, the premiers of Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and Alberta and cabinet ministers from other provinces, have led successful commercial and cultural missions to Israel. A number of Canadian municipalities are 'twinning' with Israeli cities.

In 1957, after the Sinai Campaign, Lester Pearson, the Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs, received the Nobel Peace Prize for his proposal that UN troops be stationed in the disputed territory. Canadian troops were part of the United Nations Emergency Forces (UNEF) that kept the peace in Sinai and the Gaza Strip.

The Canadian government has consistently supported every step the UN has taken in its effort to find a solution to the Arab-Israel conflict. After 1967, members of the Quebec separatist movement sided with the Arabs in the conflict,Fact|date=March 2008 and Canada has frequently been at odds with the Israeli government.

Relations between the Jewish community and the Canadian government became strained after the First Intifada began in 1987. The conflict undermined public support for Israel and certain Israeli policies divided the Jewish community, making it difficult for Jewish organizations to present a unified front in discussions with the government.

When Iraqi missiles attacked Israel during the 1991 Gulf War, public opinion shifted overwhelmingly in favour of Israel. But, in 1992, when Ottawa hosted a series of multilateral peace negotiations on the topic of refugees, Israel took issue with the Palestinian representation and refused to participate.

In November 1995, a Canadian Federal Court decision stated that Jews from any country could not claim refugee status in Canada because they have automatic citizenship in Israel.

On July 31, 1996, Canada and Israel signed a free trade agreement, called the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA). It came into effect on January 1, 1997. Bilateral trade subsequently increased to $1.24 billion by 2005.

Canadian public opinion on the Arab-Israel conflict is, for the most part, neutral. In 2002, a study by GPC International found that 61 percent of Canadians say they are indifferent or non-committal, 19 percent side with Israel, and 20 percent sympathize with the Palestinians. Of those most familiar with the conflict, 32 percent identify themselves as pro-Palestinian, and 26 percent as pro-Israel.

Canada is represented in Israel through the Embassy of Canada in Tel Aviv. Israel is represented in Canada through the Embassy of Israel in Ottawa.

External links

* [http://international.gc.ca/missions/israel/menu-eng.asp Government of Canada in Israel]

Related link

* List of Canadian ambassadors to Israel
* List of Israeli ambassadors to Canada