Article content

The Jewish National Fund celebrates its 65th annual Negev Dinner on Sunday by honouring a sitting Prime Minister for the first time.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was chosen by a committee of board members and past honourees, said Josh Cooper, JNF Canada Chief Executive Officer.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Jewish National Fund to honour Stephen Harper for 'outstanding support' of Israel at Negev Dinner in Toronto Back to video

“The prime minister’s outstanding support of the state of Israel, his efforts towards combating anti-Semitism and preserving the memory of the Holocaust made him an obvious choice,” said Mr. Cooper.

Added JNF Toronto President Faye Minuk: “I am honoured to be a part of an organization whose work is so meaningful and has resulted in the greatest modern-day achievement of the Jewish Community; building Israel. It is a privilege to have Canada’s prime minister as JNF Toronto’s 65th Negev Dinner Honouree.”

The prime minister’s outstanding support of the state of Israel, his efforts towards combating anti-Semitism and preserving the memory of the Holocaust made him an obvious choice

After the inception of the state of Israel in 1948, the Negev Dinner was introduced to acknowledge leaders in the community, particularly in their support of Israel. With proceeds originally going directly towards the Negev, donations now go to various projects across Israel.