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June 19, 2009
Panel discusses U.S. policies
Prime minister reiterates government's strong support for Israel.
DAVE GORDON
Two Commonwealth prime ministers and two George W. Bush staffers took the stage recently at the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies' annual Spirit of Hope Benefit in Toronto.
More than 2,000 people gathered at Roy Thomson Hall on Sunday, May 31, and heard from keynote speakers Michael Chertoff, former U.S. secretary of Homeland Security (2005-2009), John Howard, former prime minister of Australia (1996-2007) and John Bolton, America's former permanent representative to the United Nations (2005-2006).
To kick off the evening, Prime Minister Stephen Harper received the Simon Wiesenthal International Leadership Award. It was Harper's second award of the day – he received one earlier from Canadian Jewish Congress – and he lauded the "spectacular growth of the state of Israel," and pledged that Canada's Conservative government "does not just pay lip service to our support for Israel."
In keeping with the centre's mission to fight intolerance, Harper underscored the need to be mindful of hatred against Jews. "There must be widespread recognition of anti-Semitism and what it is today," he said. "It must be exposed, repudiated and understood as an evil so profound that it is a threat to us all."
Linda Frum, author and National Post columnist, moderated the discussion. Panelists were first asked for their responses to Janet Napolitano, the current United States secretary of Homeland Security, and her euphemism for terrorism, "man-caused disasters."
Chertoff excoriated his successor. "It's important to recognize that we're engaged in a struggle of war against culture and ideology," he said. Extremists are "bent on destruction and death of people of all faiths. You owe the public clarity on what it is you are fighting and what you are fighting for."
Howard met with applause when he said, "PC [Politically correct] language annoys me. It really does matter. It is a struggle, an assault on our values and way of life. The war on terrorism encapsulates what's at stake. It describes it in language that everyone understands."
On the topic of taking shoes off for airport security, Frum asked whether it was a "feel good" procedure of little significance.
"It's a matter of security, not theatre," said Chertoff, adding that safety is achieved by a series of measures. "There is no absolute guarantee of no terror attack. But we need layers of defence. We have to train screeners to see behavioral changes. It's much easier to walk in your stocking feet, than comfort a loved one who has lost someone because of terrorism."
Howard concurred. "Most people are smart enough to know it's a different world from 10 years ago and they're prepared to put up with it ... you don't win by appeasing extremism."
U.S. President Barack Obama's then-pending Cairo address five days hence, gave reason for Bolton to tout America's record on defending the lives of Muslims. "[We fought for] Bosnia, Serbia and liberated Kuwait. The Iraqi people have an opportunity for democracy, we attempted to defend Lebanon, we liberated Afghanistan from tyranny of the Taliban, we're striving to help Pakistan. No one can make an argument against the U.S. not supporting the Muslim world. I'll put the American record on defending and liberating, and no one else ever comes close."
Slightly differing views came on the topic of waterboarding and Obama's proposal to end the practice. Chertoff held that the American people should vote on the use of this interrogation method. Howard defended the practice implicitly: "Your greatest responsibility is to protect your country. I don't think Bush has received enough credit in defending his people from another attack."
Finally, the panel offered their perspective on what Israel should do about Iran's burgeoning nuclear program. "I support an Israeli strike on the Iranian nuclear facility, and [I support the United States] assisting in intel and other non-combat assistance," Bolton said. "The European Union spent six years in diplomatic waste. It was more time for the Iranians to amass their weapons with more missiles. I'm not happy with military force, but the only alternative is a nuclear-armed Iran. Ask Arab leaders. They're also fearful. They ask, 'Why hasn't Israel attacked already?'" He noted that Israel made the right move when bombing the nuclear reactor within Syria's borders in September 2007. "A country needs to take action in defence without the pessimism from other countries," he said.
Chertoff agreed that Israel needs less input from others. "No one outsources their protection for their own survival. You need to do what you need to do to protect your country from being exterminated."
Dave Gordon is a freelance writer in Toronto. His website is DaveGordonWrites.com.
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