<P> During mid-2015, Harper repeatedly voiced his opinion that Russia should be excluded from association with the G7 group of nations because of Russia's support for Russian - speaking Ukrainian dissidents . On June 8, Harper said, "Mr. Putin...has no place at the (G7) table, and I don't believe there's any leader who would defend Mr. Putin having a place ." </P> <P> Michael Ignatieff criticized Harper for cutting foreign aid to Africa by $700 million, falling short of the UN Millennium Development Goals, and cutting eight African countries from the list of priority aid recipients . </P> <P> On March 11 and 12, 2006, Harper made a surprise trip to Afghanistan, where Canadian Forces personnel had been deployed as part of the NATO - led International Security Assistance Force since late 2001, to visit troops in theatre as a show of support for their efforts, and as a demonstration of the government's commitment to reconstruction and stability in the region . Harper's choice of a first foreign visit was closely guarded from the press until his arrival in Afghanistan (citing security concerns), and is seen as marking a significant change in relationship between the government and the military . Harper returned to Afghanistan on May 22, 2007, in a surprise two - day visit which included visiting Canadian troops at the forward operating base at Ma'Sum Ghar, located 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Kandahar, making Harper the first prime minister to have visited the front lines of a combat operation . </P> <P> Harper has shown admiration for the State of Israel since the early 1990s . Friends and colleagues describe his views as being the product of thinking and reading deeply about the Middle East . "Toronto Rabbi Philip Scheim, who accompanied Harper to Israel" in 2014 said, "I sense that (Harper) sees Israel as a manifestation of justice and a righting of historical wrongs, especially in light of the Holocaust ." </P>

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