After arriving on Parliament Hill and being greeted by a military honour guard, Netanyahu said he wanted to talk to Harper about the "remarkable turbulence that is shaking the Middle East" and about Iran's "relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons."
"I know from many conversations that we've had that you share my view that this is a grave threat to the peace and security of the world and I think it is important that the international community not allow this threat to materialize," Netanyahu said to Harper as they held a photo opportunity in Harper's office. "As for Israel, like any sovereign country, we reserve the right to defend ourselves against a country that calls and works for our destruction.
"On that note, I can say that it is particularly gratifying to be among such good friends here in Ottawa on a cold day with warm friendship."
The two leaders are having a short meeting, then will speak to the news media. Harper will then host a working lunch with the Israeli prime minister and Netanyahu will also meet Friday with Governor General David Johnston at Rideau Hall.
Netanyahu is travelling to Washington after his visit in Ottawa. He and President Barack Obama will both deliver speeches at a policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The Israeli leader has recently been suggesting his country is considering launching a military attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Houchang Hassan-Yari, a Middle East expert at Queen's University and Royal Military College, said Netanyahu will likely be seeking support from Harper for that position, particularly given what Harper has said about Iran in recent months.
Harper has been strong in backing Israel's view of Iran's program, saying he has "no doubt" that Iran is lying when it says it is pursuing nuclear power for peaceful purposes and is not building a nuclear bomb.
In an exclusive interview with CBC chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge in January, Harper said the Iranian regime frightens him.
"In my judgment, these are people who have a particular, you know, a fanatically religious worldview, and their statements imply to me no hesitation about using nuclear weapons if they see them achieving their religious or political purposes. And … I think that’s what makes this regime in Iran particularly dangerous."
Hassan-Yari said he doesn't expect Friday's meeting to be a one-way conversation dominated by Netanyahu. Harper has some leverage, he said.
"Prime Minister Harper, because of his very close relations and defence of Israel and the Israelis, is in a very good position really to tell Mr. Netanyahu what President Obama, the prime minister of the [United Kingdom], the president of France and others have tried to say: that Israel would be better off if it waits for some time to see what would be the real effect of sanctions before engaging in any military activities," he said.
"This is the leverage that our prime minister has, I believe, and he can use it. He's in a position to advise Mr. Netanyahu to be more cautious."
The cautious approach is one the Americans have been urging Israel to take, and Hassan-Yari said there could be some significance to Netanyahu visiting Ottawa before heading south of the border.
"I think the fact that he is coming to Canada before the U.S. might show that he has more faith in the Canadian prime minister than the U.S. president," he said.
Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae said Friday that the meeting between Harper and Netanyahu comes at an important time.
Rae said Canadians want Canada to be "an important source of advice and expertise on peace and mediation as well as on the security of Israel."
He said steps taken with Iran should be taken multilaterally.
"None of us want to see a nuclear-armed Iran," Rae said at a news conference on Parliament Hill. "None of us want to see an increase in tensions and conflict in the Middle East. But I think it's very important that we look at this not simply as an issue between Israel and Iran but understand it is an issue that has much broader implications for the whole world."
Original Article
Source: CBC
Author: Meagan Fitzpatrick
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