Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNP CommentRick Ekstein: Naheed Nenshi told me he was a friend of the Jews. Then came that apologyReal leaders don't apologize for doing their job. They explain it. They defend it. And when the pressure comes, they stand behind it You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.From left, Rick Ekstein and colleague Anna Tran with Naheed Nenshi at Jewish community event in Calgary. Photo by handoutMost Canadians think of the Calgary Stampede as 10 days of rodeo, cowboy hats, pancake breakfasts and country music.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThey’re right. But they’re only seeing half the picture.For those of us involved in business, public policy, diplomacy and community leadership, the Stampede is also Canada’s largest networking event. Across the city, hundreds of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and receptions are hosted by businesses, charities, industry associations, political parties, diplomats, lobby groups and community organizations.Over 10 days, thousands of people move from one event to another. Premiers meet CEOs. Cabinet ministers meet community leaders. Opposition politicians meet ambassadors. Relationships are built, ideas are exchanged and differences are discussed.The National Post newsletter that doesn’t hold back, giving readers the unvarnished truth on media, politics and culture.By signing up, you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Right? will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThis is not unusual. It is the job.The annual Jewish community reception is simply one of those hundreds of events. Politicians from every level of government and every major political party attend. They are not there to endorse every position held by the host organization. They are there because showing up, listening and engaging with Albertans is part of public life.I attended this year’s reception on July 3.Earlier in the afternoon, I spent several minutes speaking with Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi. I was accompanied by my colleague, Anna Tran.I walked over and said something to the effect of, “You probably don’t remember me, but we’ve met a few times over the years.”Without hesitation, he smiled, shook my hand and replied that while he couldn’t remember my name, he remembered meeting me.I laughed.“That’s a pretty good politician’s answer.”He smiled but insisted he genuinely remembered me. He recalled that I had served on the board of CIJA and asked what I was doing these days.I have to admit, I was impressed.I told him that much of my time is now devoted to combating antisemitism and supporting the State of Israel. Half joking, I asked whether he considered himself a friend of the Jewish community.His response, as I remember its meaning rather than its precise wording, was immediate. He said the Alberta NDP had separated itself from the federal NDP on these issues and wanted Alberta’s Jewish community to know it had friends in Alberta.I left that conversation with a genuinely favourable impression.A short time later, I saw Mr. Nenshi chatting with my friend, former premier Jason Kenney, someone who has earned the Jewish community’s respect over many years through both words and actions.Unable to resist, I walked over and joked, in substance, “Jason, Naheed tells me he’s every bit as good a friend to the Jewish community as you are.”Mr. Nenshi immediately replied that he was.My recollection is that Jason’s response was one of those priceless, knowing expressions that needed no words.The entire afternoon was friendly, relaxed and completely unremarkable.In fact, I spent the following days telling people how impressed I had been with Mr. Nenshi. I described him as thoughtful, articulate and remarkably good at remembering people. I also said I thought it showed character that he attended a Jewish community event during a time when many Canadian Jews feel increasingly isolated.Some friends laughed at me. I defended him.Then came July 16.After photographs appeared showing Mr. Nenshi with Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed, he issued a public statement apologizing to those who had been hurt by the image. He emphasized that the photograph was not an endorsement of the Israeli government and reiterated his criticism of Israel’s actions.He is entitled to those opinions. That is not what disappointed me.Meeting an ambassador is not an endorsement of every action taken by that ambassador’s government. If it were, Canadian politicians could scarcely meet representatives of China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey or countless other countries whose policies they openly criticize.Diplomacy exists because governments disagree. Leadership is tested when the pressure arrives. Not before.When the photograph became controversial, Mr. Nenshi had a choice. He could have simply said:“Yes, I met Israel’s ambassador. Meeting ambassadors — especially those of democratic allies — is part of my job. I have nothing to apologize for.”That would have been leadership. Instead, he apologized for the meeting itself. That decision spoke louder than any photograph ever could.It told Alberta’s Jewish community that meeting them was acceptable — but that being publicly associated with the representative of the world’s only Jewish state had become a political problem.Real leaders don’t apologize for doing their job. They explain it. They defend it.And when the pressure comes, they stand behind it.Mr. Nenshi did none of those things.He chose political calculation over conviction.— Rick Ekstein is a proud first generation Canadian, son of Holocaust survivors, businessman, advocate, and philanthropist. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.