OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make history in Israel next week when he becomes the first Canadian leader to address the Israeli legislature.

The Knesset speaker, Yuli Edelstein, says he’s happy and proud to welcome Harper to parliament, calling him a “brave and true friend of Israel.”

Edelstein said recently that Canada’s support of Israel has been unwavering throughout the country’s history.

No Canadian prime minister has ever addressed the Knesset. During a visit to Canada, Israeli President Chaim Herzog addressed a joint session of the House of Commons and the Senate in June 1989.

Details emerging about Harper’s trip suggest, not surprisingly, that it will be a mutual love-in between the prime minister and the Israelis; the Conservative government has been a staunch defender of Israel since Harper came to power eight years ago.

The prime minister’s jam-packed schedule will include receiving an honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University, according to the institution’s website. He’ll also travel to the picturesque Hula Valley to visit a bird sanctuary recently renamed in his honour.