Representatives from Jewish groups and the Israeli government praised outgoing foreign minister John Baird for his close ties to the Jewish community and his robust support for Israel after his surprise announcement Feb. 3 that he is resigning from cabinet and leaving federal politics.
As foreign minister, he was noted for his clear articulation of his Conservative government’s policy on Israel, a position that’s not expected to change under his successor, who was not immediately announced.
Israeli ambassador Rafael Barak thanked Baird “for his contribution to [the] special friendship” shared by Canada and Israel
“As foreign minister, Mr. Baird has been a rare beacon of light at a very dark chapter in world history. His principled positions, guided by the values of the Canadian people, have served as a pillar of strength for all liberal democracies,” Barak said.
“For the people of Israel, who live in the only liberal democracy in the Middle East, Mr. Baird’s vocal support has been an empowering force against the rise of fundamentalism and tyranny on our borders,” Barak added. “In Jewish tradition, the term mensch is reserved for a person of integrity who stands up against injustice and never wavers from his principles. I can think of no better term to describe the qualities that define Mr. Baird both as a man and as a politician.”
Barak noted that Baird was a frequent visitor to the Jewish state. “Just last month, I had the pleasure of accompanying Mr. Baird on a very fruitful visit to Israel where we added even more elements to the Canada-Israel strategic partnership,” he said.
Just prior to Baird’s trip, the Palestinian Authority brought war crimes charges against Israel at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, along with ongoing efforts to seek sanctions at the UN. In December, Canada voted against the Palestinian statehood proposal introduced at the United Nations Security Council.
Baird said these moves by the Palestinians “will not contribute to peace and security in the region.”
As Canadians, said Baird, “we strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself, and we will play our part to defend Israel from international attempts to delegitimize it.”
“Canada believes strongly in a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinian Authority,” he said before leaving for the region. “Negotiations provide the only viable path to lasting peace.”
Also on his latest trip, Palestinian protesters threw shoes and eggs at Baird in Ramallah after he met with his Palestinian counterpart. The protest was reportedly organized by the youth department of the Fatah movement to express opposition to the Canadian government’s positive stance toward Israel. Protesters held signs reading: “Baird you are not welcome in Palestine.”
Baird, 45, has been involved in Conservative politics for most of his adult life. He was elected MP for Ottawa-West Nepean in 2006. After serving in a number of other ministerial portfolios, he became foreign minister in May 2011.
Before entering federal politics, he was an Ottawa-are MPP in the Progressive Conservative government of former Ontario premier Mike Harris. After becoming the youngest member of the legislature at the time when he was first elected at age 26 as part of Harris’ Common Sense Revolution landslide in 1995, he entered provincial cabinet in 1999 as minister of Community and Social Services.
Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), said that as foreign affairs minister, “Baird deserves immense credit for advancing Canada’s core principles on the world stage in a wide range of policy areas – from human rights in Africa, to Iranian nuclear proliferation, to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.”
He added that as “a steadfast friend of both Canada’s Jewish community and Israel, Minister Baird played a unique and significant role in strengthening the Canada-Israel relationship. In doing so, he affirmed the shared democratic values – and shared concerns for the future of the Middle East – that underpin ties between Canadians and Israelis.”
Baird, he said, “consistently articulated a clear and conscientious foreign policy vision of which all Canadians can be proud. We wish him the utmost success as he embarks on the next phase of his professional life.”
The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) also thanked Baird “for his unwavering support of Israel” and “his firm stance against anti-Semitism.”
FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo called Baird “a great leader” whose “actions will have a positive affect now and in the future.”
Last year, Baird received the FSWC’s Award of Valour, given to “those who actively uphold the principals of tolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values.”
Baird was also praised by Jewish groups in the United States.
American Jewish Committee Executive Director David Harris said in a statement: “All who are committed to upholding democratic values worldwide will miss [Baird’s] passion and determination. We at AJC have cherished his indefatigable defence of democratic values and human dignity, his steadfast support for Israel and the Jewish People, and his courage and principle in speaking the truth wherever and whenever it was needed.”
With files from JTA and JNS
