Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau last night spelled out in unequivocal terms Canada’s support of Israel’s right to exist “within secure and recognized boundaries, free from threats and acts of force” according to the terms, of United Nations Security Council Resolution 242.
His careful definition of Canadian-Israel relations was made in the course of a foreign policy address at a dinner honoring Saul Hayes who is retiring after 35 years of service to the Canadian Jewish Congress. The tribute to Hayes, who has served as executive director and executive vice-president of the CJC. was part of the organization’s 17th plenary assembly which closes tomorrow. Trudeau voiced “concern” over the situation of minority groups in the USSR and the inability of those who wish to leave the Soviet Union. But he did not specifically mention Soviet Jews.
The gathering has placed heavy emphasis on Jewish education in Canada, a subject dealt with only peripherally at the CJC’s last plenary assembly three years ago. The main issue was who shall decide to what degree public funds should subsidize the Jewish educational structure.
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