Did a pro-Israel stand cost Canada a seat on the United Nations Security Council?

Veteran QMI columnist Peter Worthington thinks so:

If it were not for the fact the PM belatedly decided he wanted Canada on the UN’s Security Council, the rejection of Canada for that two-year role could be seen as an accolade.

The United Nations has long been out of control as a dispassionate, objective, credible institution for peace, human rights and justice, so it’s a wonder decent countries still pay attention to it.

In the first round of voting for a temporary, two-year seat on the Security Council, Germany scraped in with the necessary two-thirds of the vote — 128, beating out Portugal (122 votes) and Canada (113).

In the playoff round, Portugal got 113 votes to Canada’s 78.

Rather than face defeat by Portugal in a third round, Canada withdrew its bid to be one of the 10 non-permanent members of the 15-member Security Council. (Permanent members are Britain, U.S., France, China and Russia.)

It was the first time Canada has failed in such a bid, having won six times previously — roughly, once every decade. For two years starting Jan. 1, the elected non-permanent Security Council members will be Brazil, Gabon, Bosnia, Lebanon, Nigeria, India, South Africa, Colombia, Germany and Portugal...

...So why did Canada lose?

Surely, it makes no sense to put Germany and Portugal on the Security Council — making four European countries represented. Besides, Portugal is a near-economic basket case, threatened with bankruptcy.

The truth is, Canada’s vigorous, unqualified support for Israel under Harper worked against us at the UN, which regularly condemns Israel for policies it ignores in other countries.

No accusation against Israel is too extreme not to get a hearing at the UN.

If the pro-Israel stand of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his government is the reason for Canada's exclusion from the UN Security Council, this should be cause for Canadians to rejoice.

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:3

Joel Rosenberg has identified Mr. Harper as the West's most pro-Israel head of government. I find it interesting--or, as brother Rosenberg likes to say, curious--that Canada has apparently suffered the least of any Western nation from the economic downturn of the last two years. Will Mr. Harper and his government modify its pro-Israel stand in order to mollify the United Nations? I'm no prophet or political insider, but my guess is that they won't. Mr. Harper and his cabinet--particularly Peter Kent and Jason Kenney--have been consistent in bucking the rest of the world in this area, and I see no reason for that not to continue for the foreseeable future.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Psalms 122:6