Prime Minister Stephen Harper has arrived in Israel to kick off his inaugural visit to the Middle East.

The Star:

JERUSALEM—Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrived in Israel to a hero’s welcome Sunday, celebrated for “being a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people” as he kicked off his tour of the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rolled out the red carpet, praising Harper as a “friend” for championing the Jewish people, fighting anti-Semitism and taking a tough stand on Iran.

“I have to say Stephen that you are a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people. I’m not just saying that. I mean that deeply from the bottom of my heart and I speak for all the people of Israel,” Netanyahu told Harper in remarks at an official welcome ceremony Sunday night.

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