Prime Minister Brian Mulroney stated Canada’s policy toward the Middle East conflict here last night. Realization of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people must form part of any overall peace settlement, between Israel and its Arab neighbors, he told over 1,000 people attending a State of Israel Bonds dinner in honor of Sen. Leo Kolber.
At the same time, Mulroney stressed that his Progressive Conservative government is “unshakably committed to the preservation” of Israel but will work with “all states and all peoples of the region who are genuinely interested in a just and durable peace.” He added that any peace negotiations “must deal not only with Israel’s recognition by Arab states but also with her legitimate security concerns.” That is an “immutable and a non-negotiable” part of Canadian policy, he said.
“We consider it essential that the forces of reasonableness and moderation receive our support.”
Mulroney also touched on another issue of great concern to Canadian Jews — bringing to justice Nazi war criminals living in Canada, He called this “a matter of great urgency” and noted that is being dealt with as such by a one-man commission of inquiry, former Quebec Superior Court Judge Jules Deschenes. Kolber was presented with the Golda Meir Leadership Award by Israeli Ambassador Eliashiv Ben-Horin in recognition of his exemplary service on behalf of Israel and Canada.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
