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Canada will continue to stand by Israel “through fire and water” as it defends itself against terrorist threats on Canadian soil that have created a “dark and dangerous time” for this nation, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a speech to members of the Jewish community who honoured him in Montreal on Thursday.

“What is the difference between Hamas and Israel, and ISIS and us?” Harper asked in a speech to accept a humanitarian award for his support of Israel from the Jewish Community Council of Montreal.

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“There is just one thing. Hamas is a lot closer to Israel than ISIS is to us. Israel is the front line of free democratic nations, and any who turn their back on Israel or turn a blind eye to the nature of Israel’s enemies do so in the long run at their own peril.”

The Jewish Community Council of Montreal, a non-profit organization that was founded in 1922 and is responsible for certification of Kosher products, made the prime minister the first recipient of its King David award. King David of Israel was a central figure in the Old Testament who united Israel and who led victorious battles against the Philistines.