Harper Accuses Liberal Candidates of Being 'Anti-Israeli'

During a press conference on Thursday morning, Harper was asked what he thought of an unnamed Liberal leadership candidate's [Michael Ignatieff] views that Israel had committed war crimes during the Israel/Lebanon war. Harper responded that he obviously doesn't support that idea and then went further to accuse all of the Liberal leadership candidates of being 'anti-Israeli'.

Expect the shit to hit the fan sometime later today.

Back in August, Stephane Dion wrote a piece in the Globe & Mail describing his view of the conflict. Hardly 'anti-Israeli'. But, when it comes to the Conservative perspective, Harper obviously believes the Bush mantra that you're 'either with us or against us'. Everything is seen in black and white terms with no room for nuance. Therefore, if Israel's actions are criticized, one is obviously 'anti-Israeli'. Considering how Harper has criticized the Canadian Liberal government in the past, can we now call him 'anti-Canadian'?

Update: Here's the transcript.

Q: Prime Minister, a leading Liberal member of parliament over the past few days has said again and again that Israel was guilty of war crimes in its actions against Lebanon How do you feel about that? Do you think that the term 'war crimes' is appropriate in this case?

Harper: Well, that's a serious charge. As you know I don't, I don't support that view and I was clear on that yesterday. You know frankly I think this is consistent with the anti-Israeli position that has been taken by virtually all of the candidates to the Liberal leadership and I don't think it's helpful or useful.

Update: And, as predicted, the shit has indeed hit the fan.

Ignatieff: “It is disgraceful that the prime minister is playing crass politics with the issue of the Middle East,” Ignatieff said in a statement.

“Frankly, it is beneath him and his office to do so.”

Rae: Bob Rae, a strong contender for the party’s top prize, called Harper’s “shameful” comments a “classically thoughtless, deeply divisive thing” to say.

“It’s the politics of the big smear,” said Rae. “I don’t know why he would say such a thing.”

Kennedy: Gerard Kennedy said the Liberal party is “in an awkward place,” trying to respond to “momentous” events in the Middle East without a permanent leader, which has led to some incautious remarks.

But he said “it’s too cute by half and somewhat irresponsible” for Harper to play petty partisan games with such a divisive issue.

Dryden: Another candidate, Ken Dryden, said Harper’s comment is ``completely wrong.”

“All that is, is creating divides and Mr. Harper has shown himself to be a great divider,” he said in an interview.

“That’s his instinct, that’s his approach.”

Dion: Fellow candidate Stephane Dion said Harper’s comments were not very “prime ministerial.”