The former Canadian premier, widely
considered to have been one of the most pro-Israel leaders in modern
history, was nominated for the honor by Jerusalem City Council member
Dan Illouz.
Though tradition dictates that the honor be reserved for individuals
who have been dead for at least three years, exceptions may be made—and
“Harper is a strong case for such an exception,” Illouz told JNS.
“Throughout his time in office, he was, and continues to be today, a
devoted friend of Israel,” he said.
Harper was the first Western leader to suspend aid to the Palestinian
Authority after Hamas’s electoral victory in 2006. In 2009, he was the
first to withdraw from the infamous Durban Review Conference, saying the
event would “scapegoat the Jewish people.” In a 2014 Knesset speech,
Harper committed to support Israel “through fire and water.” He is also
known for changing Canada’s voting record in the United Nations in
support of the Jewish state, ending funding to UNRWA, opposing Iran’s
nuclear program, promoting investment in Israeli security and
intelligence and modernizing trade agreements between Israel and Canada
to increase trade and business connections.
