Canada-Israel sign "Public Security" Agreement

Canada and Israel Sign Declaration to Cooperate on Public Safety

ISRAEL, March 23, 2008 – Today, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety Canada and Avi Dicter, Minister of Public Security of the Government of the State of Israel, signed a Declaration of Intent to enhance cooperation in the area of public safety.

“The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing the security of Canadians – both through our actions at home and with our international partners.” said Minister Day. “Today’s declaration demonstrates the longstanding cooperation between Canada and Israel on public safety issues, and we welcome this increased cooperation in order to improve our countries’ capacity to protect our citizens.”

This declaration will allow Canada and Israel to better enhance cooperation in the areas of organized crime, emergency management, crime prevention, and other related public safety concerns.

The declaration seeks to establish a more structured framework for the continued cooperation on public safety issues between Canada and Israel.

“The Declaration of Intent is an opportunity for Canada and Israel to strengthen their commitment to safeguarding their citizens and respective national interests from common threats,” said Minister Dicter.

The two governments chose to sign the agreement during a week of intense diplomatic activity in Tel Aviv, involving the concurrent visits of the Vice President of the US, the US Secretary of the Department Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and other senior officials.

The two Ministers agreed to cooperate on the following subjects (see text):
• Counterterrorism and Crime
• Emergency preparedness
• Border crossing security, focusing on biometric identification

The intent of this agreement was announced previously by Isreali Ministry of Public Security, During the visit of the Minister of Public Security, Avi Dicter, in Canada, a meeting was held on the 29th of October, 2007 between the Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Mr. Stockwell Day, and Minister Dicter.

For more, see:
The Canada-Israel "Public Security" Agreement; Ottawa & Tel Aviv collaborate in counter-terrorism & Homeland security, by Michel Chossudovsky, Global Research, April 2, 2008

Worth a second look

The two governments chose to sign the agreement during a week of intense diplomatic activity in Tel Aviv, involving the concurrent visits of the Vice President of the US, the US Secretary of the Department Homeland Security Michael Chertoff*, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and other senior officials.

The two Ministers agreed to cooperate on the following subjects (see text):

• Counterterrorism

and Crime
• Emergency preparedness
• Border crossing security, focusing on biometric identification

*dual citizen: US/Israeli