Israel Matzav

Why can't American Jews figure this out?

The Toronto Star (a left-wing newspaper) is reporting today that Canadian Jews are shifting their allegiances over to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative party due to Harper's support for Israel in the recent war against Hezbullah:

David Gelberman has thought of himself as a Liberal his whole life, but that has changed, he declares, because of the Prime Minister. "Thank God for Stephen Harper," says Gelberman, 57, his eyes fixed on the television news from Israel.

"It's about time someone had some cojones. Most other politicians are wishy-washy."

There are enthusiastic nods from his customers, smoked meat sandwiches in hand, at Wolfie's Deli, on Sheppard Ave., which Gelberman runs with his wife Gila and father-in-law Wolf Zimmerman. "I was always a Liberal," says Gelberman, looking natty in a straw hat, black shirt and gold jewellery. "I was only a Liberal. Will this affect the way I vote? Absolutely. I will vote Tory from now on."

More nods from the men at the table where he has joined in the conversation. Harper is not so scary, says a customer named Joseph (he declines to give his last name), who organizes trade shows. He too, has been a Liberal supporter. "But I'm going to change that."

On the same day that British investigators exposed a massive terrorist plot to blow up as many as 10 transatlantic flights, the men see even more reason to support Harper and his position that Israel's military action against Hezbollah guerrillas was a "measured response."

Harper made his pro-Israel views known quickly, issuing a statement the day after Israel sent its forces into Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Liberals' perspective remained unclear. Five days passed before interim Liberal leader Bill Graham said the government's position was a "grave error," one that threatened Canada's reputation as a peace broker and mediator. Leadership candidates offered a range of opinions.

In the meantime, high-profile Jewish Liberals, including Onex Corp. President Gerry Schwartz, his wife, Indigo Books & Music CEO Heather Reisman, and film producer Robert Lantos, publicly expressed support for Harper's stance and, in the case of the latter two, tore up their party membership cards, if not in fact, then in their minds.

At a July 26 rally in Toronto to support Israel, Lantos received a standing ovation when he thanked Harper for his government's "principled support" and said he was tossing off his "lifelong federal Liberal hat."

I'm still having trouble getting over Joe Lieberman losing the Connecticut primary. But it seems that I'm not the only one with that problem....

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:34 PM