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December 08, 2008
Aboard the SS St. Louis
Canada's government defends a Saudi policy of shunning tourists who have visited Israel (via Atlas Shrugs).
The Canadian government has come to the defense of Saudi Arabia, telling The Jerusalem Post that the desert kingdom's policy of barring entry to Canadian citizens whose passports bear an Israeli visa or border stamp is "accepted practice."
According to the Web site of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, "Canadians have been denied entry into Saudi Arabia because their passports bore: a) an Israeli visa; b) an Israeli border stamp; or c) an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel (such a stamp would indicate the traveller entered from Israel)."
Contacted via e-mail by the Post, Department spokesman Lisa Monette was asked how the Canadian government views the Saudi policy. Monette refused to criticize or condemn the practice, instead asserting that, "it is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter.
According to the Web site of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, "Canadians have been denied entry into Saudi Arabia because their passports bore: a) an Israeli visa; b) an Israeli border stamp; or c) an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel (such a stamp would indicate the traveller entered from Israel)."
Contacted via e-mail by the Post, Department spokesman Lisa Monette was asked how the Canadian government views the Saudi policy. Monette refused to criticize or condemn the practice, instead asserting that, "it is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter.
Would it were my prerogative to determine which passport was worth keeping. Between the UK and Canada, a move to Austalia is looking better and better.
In related news, many Canadian conservatives mistakenly imagine Stephen Harper's government is worth defending.
Today there is no longer any hesitation or ambiguity in Canada's position. We see Israel as a friend and ally in the democratic family of nations. Our support for her right to exist is unshakeable.
Of course, as proud as I am of our Government's actions and as proud as we all are of our country's values, Canada's history is not without its scars. For example, the decision to turn away hundreds of German Jewish refugees aboard the SS St. Louis was both tragic and indefensible.
Of course, as proud as I am of our Government's actions and as proud as we all are of our country's values, Canada's history is not without its scars. For example, the decision to turn away hundreds of German Jewish refugees aboard the SS St. Louis was both tragic and indefensible.
Dear Mr. Harper, if you are not too busy trying to hold on to your job, you might consider living up to those words and addressing this abomination at Foreign Affairs. Some people need to be very noisily fired.
Posted by Ghost of a flea at December 8, 2008 03:54 AM
