Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak — Robert D. Ward
Defence Minister Peter MacKay and his Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak spoke at a press conference at National Defence Headquarters on Wednesday. In order to get into the room, reporters had to register online, then show up at a side entrance, get a badge and then get escorted to a special room on the extreme outskirts of the ominous 1970s-style building.
All normal up till now. The ministers appeared almost on time (a rarity in political circles) and gave some opening statements about how great relations are about the two countries. Global National TV correspondent Shirlee Engel asked the first question, the two ministers responded.
And this is where it gets weird.
The second question came from a bespectacled gentleman who identified himself as Christopher Aikenhead (not sure of the spelling), a public servant at the Department of National Defence. He was asked to repeat his name and affiliation. Same deal. Then he goes on to ask Ehud Barak a question:
“Canada and the entire world appreciate Israel’s efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. I’m wondering more broadly what can Israel do, what steps can Israel take to promote a nuclear-free Middle East?”
Barak refused to answer the question, saying Israel’s position was well-known and this wasn’t the time to talk about it.
Aikenhead then turned to MacKay:
Mr. MacKay, how can Canada help contribute to Israel’s efforts to contribute to a nuclear-free Middle East?
MacKay went on to talk about the importance of dialogue between Canada and Israel and Canadian support for Middle East peace.
At the time, reporters were looking at each other wondering if DND had planted this guy in an attempt to throw a lob-ball question at the ministers. The timing just seemed too conspicuous (the Israeli defence minister) and access in NDHQ is notoriously tight.
But from the reactions of the press conference organizers, who at first seemed puzzled and then were clearly angered, it seemed evident this wasn’t a set-up. The speed with which Mr. Aikenhead was whisked away (perhaps from the building?) also seemed to confirm he was not welcome to participate.
All of that aside, one must look at the questions to realize Aikenhead was asking some pretty good ones. Critics of Israel have continually called it hypocritical for demanding Iran and other states in the Middle East not possess nuclear weapons while it possesses a not-so-secret nuclear arsenal. They say in order for the Middle East to be truly nuclear-free, Israel must get rid of its weapons just as Iran must not try to attain such weapons.
It’s clear from Barak’s answer that he understood the question and he felt uncomfortable discussing the issue.
As for what would happen to Aikenhead, officials in MacKay’s office weren’t saying…
