Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke to reporters while travelling from Ottawa to London today.
Harper made a statement about the situation in Israel.
The following is my transcript of the English-language portion of the press scrum. The Prime Minister spoke at about 12:15 pm EDT for about four minutes.
Harper: “We're obviously concerned – our government is obviously concerned – about the escalation of violence in the Middle East. Israel has a right to defend itself. It's essential that Hezbollah and Hamas release their Israeli prisoners. Any countries in that area that have influence on those organizations should encourage an end to the violence and recognize and encourage the recognition of Israel's right to exist.”
Harper was asked what he thought of an observation by the Russians that Israel's military response has been disproportionately harsh.
“Israel has a right to defend itself. I think Israel's respnse under the circumstances has been measured. I think it's tremendously disappointing that these attacks are coming from areas that Israel evacuated and so I think the onus for this escalation is on the other side and I would urge them to return the prisoners.”
“I'm assuming this will come up at the G8.”
“Foreign Affairs will do everything it can to help Canadians that are there.”