Israel is a beacon of light, a source of democracy and an example to the world, Canadian Foreign Minister Rob Nicholson, on his first visit to Jerusalem, told President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday (today).

He said he was delighted to be in Israel because he had been interested in the country since he was a kid and had always wanted to come.

Canada has taken a strong stance in support of the coalition and their is a continued presence of Canadian peace-keeping forces in the region, he said.

Canada has supported Israel in the past, does so in the present, and will continue to do so in the future, Nicholson assured Rivlin.