The Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, delivered a speech for Israel’s 60th. It is so extraordinary that I must lead off with this today:
“All of my life, Israel has been a symbol of the triumph of hope and faith. After 1945, our battered world desperately needed to be lifted out of post-war darkness and despair. After so much pain and suffering, humanity needed comfort and optimism. After so much death and destruction, we needed the renewal of the dream of a better and more civilized world. In short, we needed to be inspired. It was the people who had suffered who most provided that inspiration. By their example, they led the world back to the light. From shattered Europe and other countries near and far, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob made their way home. Their pilgrimage was the culmination of a two-thousand-year-old dream; it is a tribute to the unquenchable human aspiration for freedom, and a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people.
“In the sixty years that followed, Israel blossomed into one of the most successful countries on earth; a land of ingenuity and enterprise, an oasis of agricultural genius, a wellspring of fine art and high culture, a model of democracy. Israel truly is the ‘miracle in the desert.’
“But the source of Israel’s strength and success, in my view, is its commitment to the universal values of all civilized peoples: freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law…
“Unfortunately, Israel at 60 remains a country threatened by those groups and regimes who deny to this day its right to exist.. And why? Make no mistake; look beyond the thinly-veiled rationalizations: because they hate Israel, just as they hate the Jewish people. Our government believes that those who threaten Israel also threaten Canada, because, as the last world war showed, hate-fueled bigotry against some is ultimately a threat to us all, and must be resisted wherever it may lurk.
“In this ongoing battle, Canada stands side-by-side with the State of Israel, our friend and ally in the democratic family of nations. We have stood with Israel even when it has not been popular to do so, and we will continue to stand with Israel, just as I have always said we would…
“There will be many challenges along the way, but considering how far Israel has come in such a short time, in the face of such seemingly insurmountable odds, I can foresee no dark force, no matter how strong, that could succeed in dimming the light of freedom and democracy that shines from within Israel .”
This Sunday April 19, 2008 at 4:30pm at the Vancouver Hillel Foundation, come and see ‘The Case for Israel’ &mdash a truly amazing film…
Website link: The Vancouver Hillel Foundation
We’re in the section that talks about new DVDs.
The premiere of The Original Promise was tonight, and the reaction from the 500 people who attended was very positive and encouraging. We cannot wait for the world to see this production.
Order your DVD now here. They will start shipping this week.
Here’s a short article on Farrah Aviva’s perspective of Israel, and part of the reason this documentary was created.
To say the film has a buzz is an understatement. Our team will be very busy next week as the excitement builds. Bill and Doug will be meeting personally with key media contacts in Toronto and New York.
We will have news in regards to a CD that we are producing. It features some amazing local and Jewish talent.
Be looking for The Original Promise CD coming in the near future.
Doug and Bill are excited to announce that the Premiere for The Original Promise has been sold out! Thanks to everyone for their efforts in spreading the word about the first viewing.
BIG FAVOUR: If you CANNOT make the Sunday Premiere, can you please let me know? We have a growing waiting list of people who want to come.
Call me: Tyler 604-992-0718
Please keep checking back for dates on viewings in different cities.
Toronto, New York, LA, Tel Aviv and another in Vancouver are on the hot list!
On Wednesday, March 4th, Doug and Bill will be live on 100 Huntley Street.
It airs on Global TV at 10am in Toronto and 12pm in BC.
You can also watch it online here. Let us know what you think!
Doug’s interview was aired on one of the largest Christian radio stations in the US on Sirius Satelite.
Listen to the entire interview here.