The Embassy of Israel in Ottawa announced today that President Shazar will curtail his state visit to Canada and will return to Israel tonight. He was to have left Canada next Sunday. The Canadian Federal Government has been informed accordingly as has also the Ontario Government where he was to have made an official visit tomorrow.
President Shazar deeply regretted that the Middle East situation made this decision inevitable and expressed his appreciation to all Canadian authorities for the warm welcome he received and for the arrangements made for his visit. President Shazar will depart by Air Canada to Paris and will proceed tomorrow morning via El AI to Tel Aviv.
Yesterday, President Shazar visited Quebec City where he was met at the airport by Lt. Governor General of the Province of Quebec, Hughes Lapoint, Prime Minister Daniel Johnson, Opposition leader Jean Lesage and by members of the Cabinet. He then proceeded to Laval University where he was received by Cardinal Leger and by Msgr. A. Vachon, rector of the university. At the university. President Shazar declared that he hoped the links of friendship uniting Israel and the French-Canadian population would prove effective now that Israel is in a grave situation.
The Lt. Governor General entertained the President at a reception yesterday afternoon and Premier Johnson gave a state dinner in honor of the President and his party. Members of Parliament, members of the Cabinet and, for the first time, members of the Jewish community, were invited to the dinner. Premier Johnson declared that he was aware of the significance of Jewish history, the modern and dynamic rebirth of Israel, which he highly admired. He pledged his support in the present difficult time and expressed the hope that peace would be restored in the Middle East.
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