Stephen Harper says international community's push for Canada, world to be 'ambivalent' on Israel is 'wrong.'

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper vowed to support Israel "through fire and water" on Monday, during a speech at the Ottowa Convention Center.

"Friends, in this fight, we also stand with the democratic State of Israel," Harper said, "as we have again this year, as Israelis have once more come under attack from the terrorist group Hamas."

"I know there continue to be those who question the wisdom of our policy," he noted. "[Those] who, just as they once wished we would be more embracing of Putin, now would wish us to be more ambivalent about Israel, to go along with those who regularly single out Israel for criticism."

"Friends, that position is wrong," he continued.

Harper, like many, made the comparison between terror group Hamas and the global jihadist Islamic State (IS or ISIS).

"What is the difference between Hamas and Israel, and ISIS and us?" he asked. "One thing: Hamas is a lot closer to Israel than ISIS is to us."

"Israel is the frontline," he continued. "Anyone among the free and democratic nation that turns their back on Israel, or turns a blind eye to the nature of Israel’s enemies does so, in the long run, at their own peril."

"And so: Canada will continue to stand by Israel through fire and water!" he concluded.

Harper has been a staunch supporter of Israel and continued to stand up for the Jewish state during the last conflict in Gaza.

The Canadian leader called on Canada’s allies and partners to recognize that Hamas’s terrorist acts “are unacceptable and that solidarity with Israel is the best way of stopping the conflict.” He also blamed Hamas for the heavy loss of civilian life in Gaza during the fighting.

In January, Harper visited Israel for the first time since becoming Prime Minister. During the visit, he gave a speech in the Knesset and also showcased his musical talent during a special dinner with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.