President Chaim Herzog of Israel addressed the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on Tuesday and was assured by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney of “the unswerving support of Canada for the State of Israel, its security and integrity.”
Herzog, who arrived Monday for a six-day official visit, was received by a guard of honor outside the Parliament building after landing at Upland air force base, near the capital.
He is the first Israeli chief of state to visit Canada.
Herzog was the guest of honor at a reception and state banquet given Monday evening by Canada’s symbolic head of state, Governor General Jeanne Sauve, who represents Queen Elizabeth II.
Sauve praised Herzog as “an intellectual of international stature.”
She also declared that Canada wishes to strengthen its relations with Israel and jointly examine means to respond to the challenges that Israel has to face.
Herzog, speaking at a joint session of the House of Commons and the Senate, defended Israel’s handling of the Palestinian uprising.
He recounted in some detail repeated Arab rejections of peace with Israel, from the time of its founding 41 years ago.
“I know of no way to achieve peace without negotiations,” he said. “The people of Israel want nothing more than peace.”
Canada’s opposition Liberal Party issued a statement on the occasion of Herzog’s visit affirming the view that “to reach a just and durable peace between the State of Israel and its Arab neighbors” and international conference must be summoned “able to lead negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.”
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