Embassy imbroglio

Re: Embassy move only angers the usual suspects. Barbara Kay, May 16

Barbara Kay calls Jerusalem “Israel’s eternal capital.” All the best evidence suggests that nothing on this planet, including the planet itself, is “eternal.” And few things are more mutable in their composition than political entities like countries and their capitals.

Over time, Jerusalem has had many iterations and identities for a variety of different peoples of different religions. It may be the capital of Israel in Ms. Kay’s heart and mind, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t live a different, and equally valid, life in the hearts and minds of others. Indeed, even for some Jews, Israel itself is a spiritual state rather than a political one, and therefore needs no physical capital.

Personally, I look forward to a time when nobody in Jerusalem much cares what religion their neighbours practise, a time when non a- tion on earth identifies itself with any particular belief about God.

Kurt Weinheimer, Toronto

Columnist Barbara Kay should have mentioned that former Canadian PM Joe Clark was in favour of moving the Canadian Embassy to Jerusalem — but didn’t.

Like former PM Stephen Harper, the time was not right to do so, since it not onlywould have put Canadians at risk, there was also insufficient support.

Present Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer, and the possible next PM of Canada, is strongly in favour of following in the footsteps of U.S. President Donald Trump, in moving this embassy to Jerusalem. Other countries are bound to follow. It should have been done 70 years ago, when Israel became a nation.

It looks like I should have bought Israel Bonds back in 1951. Maybe, it still is not too late!

Fred Perry, Surrey B.C.

Former prime minister Stephen Harper’s concern over Canadian lives being endangered by moving Canada’s embassy to Jerusalem is laudable. His response is also indicative of how threats from foreign governments wind up setting the agenda for Canadian foreign policy.

Is Canada a sovereign state willing to defend its allies or a supplicant to foreign powers seeking to harm our citizens? If it’s the latter, whither Canada?

Levi M. Sankar, Thornhill, Ont.