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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. (Reuters) Last update - 09:56 10/06/2008 Canadian PM cancels visit to Israel due to Olmert probe By Rhonda Spivak Tags: israel, canada, ehud olmert  Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has cancelled a June 16-20 trip to Israel due to the corruption scandal surrounding Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Harper's staff never confirms a trip until shortly before the PM leaves, so the change is not characterized as a cancellation, but the trip had been talked about publicly. Norman Spector, former Canadian ambassador to Israel, said: "The domestic situation in Israel, quite frankly, is scandalous... Prime Minister Harper has no business being there when his counterpart is two steps away from the gallows." Advertisement Spector was referring to the corruption investigation surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in which he is suspected of having illegally received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Jewish American businessman Morris Talansky. Talansky told a preliminary hearing at Jerusalem Magistrates Court that he gave Olmert $150,000 over a period of 15 years. The Canadian government, however, is considered a strong supporter of Israel, and it recently announced that it will not take part in the United Nations conference on racism next year because the event is likely to descend into "regrettable anti-Semitism." Officials said they believed Canada was the first nation to announce it will not attend the meeting scheduled for April 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland. A similar meeting at the same venue in 2001 was marred when Israel and the United States walked out in protest over draft conference texts branding Israel as a racist and apartheid state - language that was later dropped. "(We) had hoped that the preparatory process for the 2009 ... conference would remedy the mistakes of the past. Despite our efforts, we have concluded that it will not. Canada will therefore not participate," Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier said in a statement. Related articles: `Durban 2` anti-racism meeting to be held in Geneva Anti-Semitic incidents in Canada hit record high in 2007 Canada to skip UN racism conference due to expected 'anti-Semitism' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Sign of life Family of abducted IDF solider Gilad Shalit receives new sign of life. Happy Jews San Francisco museum details positive impact of Jews on city.   1.   Who cares, Conservative Harper Government not overtly supportive 06:20  |  Smadar 10/06/08   2.   It takes A Canadian to Reconize Olmert For What He Is "A Crook" 07:15  |  Shepherd 10/06/08   3.   Murderous zionists had murdererd Canadian UN observer 08:33  |  Jack 10/06/08   4.   Bad news for Israel...... 08:39  |  Dolly 10/06/08   5.   PM Harper 09:01  |  M . Kalson 10/06/08   6.   Dear Jack in Vancouver, what about the Pals? 09:41  |  Joe Sittizen 10/06/08   7.   Every country in the world please follow suit 09:58  |  Chanalau, Tova 10/06/08   8.   Not the Reason for Cancellation 12:43  |  guy 10/06/08   9.   Olmert is a war criminal 13:18  |  ClearCut 10/06/08

Read & React Shalit's father: Gilad begs for his life in new letter Responses: 84 Israeli envoy to London: U.K. has become hotbed of anti-Israeli views Responses: 67 Arab towns to hand out 'Nakba' alternative history booklet outside schools Responses: 26 Moshe Arens: Israeli politicians using Iran threat to ignore Gaza rockets, cede Golan Responses: 15 Amir Oren: Olmert is an albatross around neck of Washington Responses: 3 Rosner's Domain On a par with the policies of President Bush Should you mess with the Zohan? (WTR) Poll: Philip Roth, Victor Frankl or Leon Uris? Obama and Jerusalem: did you really believe him? What did Obama say to Joe Lieberman? (WTR) More Headlines 13:07 Qassams pound Negev as Olmert, top ministers discuss Gaza truce 13:04 Abducted soldier Shalit's father: Gilad begs for his life in new letter 10:58 Turkish, Israeli sources: Israel-Syria talks to resume Thursday 09:41 Congress gets behind Israel's aid request 09:50 Israeli envoy to London: U.K. has become hotbed of radical anti-Israeli views 12:06 Arabs states to discuss 'worries' over Israel's role in Med union 11:48 Poland loses to Germany in Euro, as 1939 Nazi conquest again makes headlines 12:51 Palestinians: Israel transfers delayed tax money, but millions missing 11:52 Arab towns to distribute 'Nakba' alternative history booklet outside schools 10:50 Egyptian police kill Sudanese migrant trying to infiltrate Israel 11:20 Interior Min. sets up unit to grant refugee status 11:31 Jewish pilot tapped for U.S. Air Force chief position 09:56 Canadian PM cancels visit to Israel due to Olmert probe Previous Editions Select Day 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may

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