Canada withdrew from the race to win a seat in the United Nations Security Council (its most powerful body), after it became evident that it was not going to get the required 128 votes. In the first ballot Germany got the required 128 votes, with Portugal getting 122 and Canada getting 114. On the second ballot Canada got only 78 votes and Portugal got 113, and Canada withdrew and left the way clear for Portugal, because it realised that it could not muster the 128 needed. This marks the first time that Canada has not won a seat at least once a decade (2000). This the first time in over 50 years that Canada has failed to get a seat on the Security Council. It is important to note that the U.S.A. did not campaign for Canada, but stood on the sidelines. There is a message here.
This is a significant defeat and is blamed on Canada's foreign policy which has alienated many potential supporters. European and small island nations are angry over climate change policy, and also because of what is seen as Canada's lukewarm support for peace-keeping missions over the past years (Canada has always been seen as a major player in peace-keeping since the days of Lester Pearson and had won wide acclaim for its participation, but under Harper this has changed ). Arab, Muslim and African (reduction in foreign aid plated a part here), countries have also been turned off by Canada's recent announcement of closer relations with Israel ( a time when the peace process is threatened by Israel's ending of the partial freeze on settlement building on the West Bank), made ny International Trade Minister Peter Van Loon. The Arab and Muslim countries are also angry at Israel's passing of a law naming Israel a "Jewish State" and forcing new citizens to swear an oath "to respect the laws of the state of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state".
P.M. Netanyahu, bidding to win over the ultra-national Lieberman and the religious and the"setTler"lobby, stated that "the state of Israel is the national state of the Jewish people. This principle guides government policy both foreign and domestic and is a foundation of Israeli law". This loyalty oath was part of Lieberman's campaign last election.
Netanyahu has offered to renew the partial freeze on settlement building, if the Palestinians recognise Israel as a Jewish state but it was swiftly rejected. The Palestinians saw through the ruse. Ysssir Arafat had already given Yitzak Rabin. the Palestinians recognition of Israel, but now this move is designed to thwart any Palestinian claim to lands they had been driven from, from being returned to Palestinians/Arabs.
NICE MOVE, BUT THE PALESTINIANS ARE ON THEIR GAME.
What are the borders of the "Jewish state"? Is it the pre-1967 or does include the illegal settlements? The Palestinians must be very wary.
This is a significant defeat and is blamed on Canada's foreign policy which has alienated many potential supporters. European and small island nations are angry over climate change policy, and also because of what is seen as Canada's lukewarm support for peace-keeping missions over the past years (Canada has always been seen as a major player in peace-keeping since the days of Lester Pearson and had won wide acclaim for its participation, but under Harper this has changed ). Arab, Muslim and African (reduction in foreign aid plated a part here), countries have also been turned off by Canada's recent announcement of closer relations with Israel ( a time when the peace process is threatened by Israel's ending of the partial freeze on settlement building on the West Bank), made ny International Trade Minister Peter Van Loon. The Arab and Muslim countries are also angry at Israel's passing of a law naming Israel a "Jewish State" and forcing new citizens to swear an oath "to respect the laws of the state of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state".
P.M. Netanyahu, bidding to win over the ultra-national Lieberman and the religious and the"setTler"lobby, stated that "the state of Israel is the national state of the Jewish people. This principle guides government policy both foreign and domestic and is a foundation of Israeli law". This loyalty oath was part of Lieberman's campaign last election.
Netanyahu has offered to renew the partial freeze on settlement building, if the Palestinians recognise Israel as a Jewish state but it was swiftly rejected. The Palestinians saw through the ruse. Ysssir Arafat had already given Yitzak Rabin. the Palestinians recognition of Israel, but now this move is designed to thwart any Palestinian claim to lands they had been driven from, from being returned to Palestinians/Arabs.
NICE MOVE, BUT THE PALESTINIANS ARE ON THEIR GAME.
What are the borders of the "Jewish state"? Is it the pre-1967 or does include the illegal settlements? The Palestinians must be very wary.
