Deputy Negev and Galilee Development Minister Ayoub Kara and MKs Robert Ilatov and Shai Hermesh travel to Canada for friendship tour.
By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMANCanada friendship tour 311(photo credit: Brian Hawkes)
A delegation of MKs from the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus will wrap up a weeklong tour of outreach to Canadian Christian Zionists and native Canadian “First Nations communities” on Thursday.Deputy Negev and Galilee Development Minister Ayoub Kara (Likud) and MKs Robert Ilatov (Israel Beiteinu) and Shai Hermesh (Kadima) traveled to Canada for a friendship tour sponsored by the country’s National Christian Ministries, in an effort to promote dialogue and bonds of friendship between Jewish, Christian and First Nations communities across Canada and garner awareness and support for the State of Israel.The delegates from Israel and Canada addressed events held in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. At the events, Canadian political, business and religious leaders were given an opportunity to connect and forge greater relationships with Israel via the MKs.The first event was held in Vancouver at the Loghouse, which is a governmental building of the First Nations of Canada. Around 900 people took part, including several Canadian ministers and parliament members as well as First Nation, Christian and Jewish leaders.“We will always stand for Israel’s right to exist,” Conservative Party MP Stockwell Day told the crowd. “They have a biblical right, an aboriginal right, a legal right, a Geneva Convention right and a democratic right to exist. Let us stand, speak out and defend Israel. As the Prophet Isaiah spoke in Isaiah 62:1, ‘For Zion’s sake, we will not keep silent.’” Knesset Christian Allies Caucus director Josh Reinstein noted the significance of the Israeli politicians meeting with the First Nation communities, who are the Canadian equivalent of American Indians.“This is a meeting the the First Nations of Canada and the First Nations of Israel,” Reinstein said, referring to the Israelis.The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus is a bipartisan body comprised of 18 Knesset members from across the political spectrum.Established in 2004 by the late MK Yuri Shtern, it is today chaired by MK David Rotem (Israel Beiteinu). The caucus aims to forge direct lines of communication between Knesset members and Christian leaders, organizations and political representatives in Israel and around the world.Hermesh invited everyone at the event to come visit the Jewish state.Kara and Ilatov thanked the Canadian government, which faces elections on May 2, for its support of Israel.
“You are our true friends and we value our shared faith in the one true God,” Ilatov said.“Together we can withstand any threat. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
