can.politics/googlegroups A group of Canadian MPs and senators had a first-hand experience of what Israelis have been enduring when they were shaken up by air raid sirens during their visit to Jerusalem on Tuesday, the trip�s organizer said.
The four MPs and three senators were dining in a restaurant when the sirens went off, indicating rocket attacks from Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, said Shimon Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.
�When the sirens went off, they descended to the bomb shelter within the restaurant and waited there with the others who were there until the all-clear sign came,� Fogel told The Canadian Press in a telephone interview from Ottawa late Tuesday.
The Canadian group, which included members from all three parties, was able to understand some of the challenges confronting Israel, he said.
Fogel said because of the current situation, the group will not go to Ramallah to meet Palestinian officials as planned, but will receive them in Jerusalem before heading back home over the weekend.