Prime Minister Stephen Harper is going to visit Israel next year, his first official visit to the country that his government has forged very close ties with.


Harper told a fundraising dinner in Toronto that he'll also visit Jordan and the Palestinian authority during the trip.


Harper told the 2013 Negev dinner that he looks forward to exploring to strengthening peace and security in the region.


Canada's Jewish community lauded Harper at Sunday night's dinner — a gala fundraiser to acknowledge his fervent political support of Israel.


His pro-Israeli policies have sowed resentment in Canada's Arab and Muslim communities.


The dinner was put on by the Jewish National Fund's Canadian chapter, which is raising money to build a bird sanctuary in Israel to be named after Harper.


The Israeli government hopes to turn the wetlands rehabilitation project into a major tourist attraction — a surefire photo-op for Harper's trip to Israel.


Outside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, dozens of protesters turned out to protest Harper's political agenda and his environmental policies.


More to come.