Israel’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Yuval Steinitz was in Ottawa last week, during his North American tour. While in Ottawa, Dr. Steinitz met with his counterpart, Minister Jim Flaherty, as well as other political, business and community leaders. In his meetings, he discussed how Israel has fared in the global economic slowdown. Dr. Steinitz also spoke about Israel’s hi-tech success and the importance of promoting the hi-tech industry, as well as maintaining Israel's high standing in the the fields of science, technology and innovation. This was Dr. Steinitz's first visit to Canada.  

Israel wishes to express its solidarity with the Government and people of Haiti during this great disaster. The government of Israel sends its condolences to the families of the casualties, and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

The IDF medical and rescue team in Haiti will finish its operations in the next few days and its members will return to Israel by Thursday (28 January), after completing its mission in the region. The decision came following the arrival of additional aid forces to Haiti, including the United States military and other, civilian aid, who are now providing regular medical services. Furthermore, many of the local hospitals have reached a sufficient level of functionality.

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To date:

• 960 people have been treated in the hospital, among them dozens of children
• 294 life-saving operations have been performed
• 16 babies have been born in the hospital
• The IDF Search and Rescue force has rescued or assisted in the rescue of 4 individ people have been treated in the hospital, among them dozens of children

 November 19, 2009

On behalf of the State of Israel and Yad Vashem,  the Ambassador of Israel to Canada, Her Excellency Miriam Ziv and Yaron Ashkenazi, Executive Director of the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem bestowed the honour of "Righteous Among the Nations" to Mr. Vitiuk’s Canadian family.  Mr. Vitiuk was honoured posthumously, as he was killed in 1946 by Ukranian rioters.

During the German invasion of the Ukraine and at the risk of his own life, Martin Vitiuk of Lvov, Ukraine hid three Jews from the Nazis: Leib Blaustein, Benyo Ponikwer and Kalman Harnik. 

After their release, these survivors wrote a letter thanking Mr. Vitiuk for hiding them from June 12, 1943 to March 19, 1944, and saving their lives.

 This recently-surfaced letter provided key testimony for Yad Vashem, qualifying Mr. Vitiuk to receive their highly-respected honour, as one of the Righteous Among the Nations.

The title "Righteous Among The Nations" is given on behalf of the State of Israel and Yad Vashem, when documentation or survivor testimony demonstrates that a Gentile risked his (or her) life for the safety of one or more Jews. Over 22,000 people in 44 countries have been so honoured.

Those who are recognized as a “Righteous Among the Nations” are presented with a medal and a certificate of honour from the State of Israel and Yad Vashem Jerusalem, and have their names commemorated in the Righteous Among the Nations Garden at Yad Vashem Jerusalem.

Ottawa Citizen

On Tuesday November 3, a special Israel Navy force intercepted and boarded the cargo ship "Francop" flying an Antiguan flag, 100 miles off the coast of Israel, and brought it to the Ashdod port. Some 500 tons of weapons, rockets, and missiles were uncovered aboard the vessel, disguised as civilian cargo and hidden among hundreds of other containers.

The weapons found onboard the ship originate from Iran, and were intended for the Hizbullah terror organization, for use against the Israel. They constitute a harsh violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1747 and 1701 that strictly forbid Iran from exporting or trading any form of weapons.

PM Netanyahu on capture of weapons ship

Iranian arms smuggling - Briefing for diplomats and military attaches

Documented Proof of Iranian Complicity in Arms Smuggling to Terrorists