miracle
by Eric Dowd
Toronto -- An Ontario premier visiting Israel has had sympathetic words for Palestinians, which shows miracles still happen in the Holy Land, and they have even been timely.
No premier before Dalton McGuinty had said anything remotely favorable to Palestinians, very much the underdogs in their dispute with Israeli Jews that is one of the world longest-running and most dangerous conflicts and always in danger of spreading.
Only two members of the legislature had ever said Palestinians have a case that should be considered and one of these was forced to retract quickly by his party, indications of how powerful the pro-Israel lobby has been in Ontario.
McGuinty did not take sides on his visit, timed particularly at promoting trade in high technology between the two countries, and praised Israel for overcoming its lack of natural resources and creating industries based on innovation.
The Liberal premier said he will emulate Israel in appointing a chief scientist to advise how Ontario can use science to set up new commercial ventures and improve residents’ lives.
He said also he will consider Israel’s invitation to join it in creating an institute to study the brain, which could help particularly those suffering from dementia and depression.
But McGuinty went much further than his predecessors first by apologizing that Ontario’s relationship with Palestinians is not as mature as with Israel, which is an understatement, because it is non-existent.
He said he knows Palestinians like others are looking for good education, healthcare, jobs and a world at peace.
He promised Ontario will partner its universities with those in Palestinian territory and help improve other education and healthcare and added “let’s lift each other up," showing a respect for Palestinian abilities others have not.
McGuinty’s tone was quite different from that of a long procession of premiers who have visited Israel, far more than any other country of comparable size, which has underlined the importance of Jewish voters, who have been crucial to winning half a dozen Toronto ridings.
Progressive Conservative premier William Davis went in the 1970s and announced he would bring in a law to prevent Ontario companies joining a trade boycott of Israel threatened by some Arab neighbors, which never materialized, but Davis became a hero to Jews back home.
Davis on another visit declared “I am a Jerusalemite" and “premiers aren’t supposed to get involved in international matters and I don’t often, but this is different.”
