Stephen Harper rocks out for Israel
At a JNF dinner last month, Canadian PM announced his upcoming trip to Israel and serenaded the crowd with his band
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JTA — Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper is heading to Israel next week, and among other things will presumably visit a bird sanctuary named after him.
Harper’s support for Israel is so robust it is considered one of, if not the, greatest foreign policy shifts in postwar Canadian history. And it has come at some considerable cost. But Harper’s love for Israel is so great it moves him to song.
At the Jewish National Fund dinner in Toronto last month, Harper announced his intention to visit Israel in a five-minute speech. That was followed by 35 minutes of rock music covers performed by Harper and his band, Herringbone.
“I know tonight is more than just about support, that this really is a show of affection and of love and I really appreciate that,” said Harper, who was dressed in a stage-ready all-black ensemble. “And I want to show you a little bit of affection and love in return.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWIQYcLpnxg#t=1061
Seated at an electric piano just feet from a bass drum head festooned with JNF’s logo, Harper belted out tunes by the Rolling Stones, Buddy Holly and — in what must have been a nod to his particular audience — Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”
Harper looked to be enjoying himself as he introduced each number with some stage patter. The band even came back for an encore — “Wanna hear one more?” — of the Beatles’ “Hey Jude.”
The Times of Israel Community.