The editorial cartoon by Aislin published by the Montreal Gazette on January 21, 2013. Photo: Screenshot.

Frank Dimant, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada, who traveled with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper this week to Israel, on Wednesday condemned an editorial cartoon by Aislin published on Tuesday in the Montreal Gazette, showing the prime minister defaced with an Israeli flag.

“The cartoon is vile, grotesque and simply offensive,” Dimant said.”It is therefore inexcusable that the Gazette would deem it appropriate to publish.”

On Monday, Harper addressed Israel’s Knesset, the first time ever for a Canadian leader, saying that Canada would stand by Israel “through fire and water.”

“It is disrespectful, not only to the Prime Minister, but everyone who supports the democratic principles highlighted in his speech in the Knesset,” Dimant said.

“It is all too similar to perverted images vilifying Harper which we have seen during his trip to the Middle East. It treads close to borrowing the age old canard that Jews wield undue influence to silence critics of Israel. The broader spectrum of Canadians supporting Israel, and the Jewish community in particular, deserve an immediate and unqualified apology.”