Canada’s ambassador to Israel, Vivian Bercovici, hosted nearly 300 Israelis, Americans, Canadians and others on Canada Day in a lush 49th-floor event space overlooking the lights of downtown Tel Aviv to inaugurate Air Canada’s new Dreamliner 787 service between Toronto and Tel Aviv.

Planned long in advance, the evening bore an unavoidable surreal quality following the discovery that three missing Israeli boys had been killed by their abductors.

Bercovici acknowledged the difficulty of celebrating, but said it was nonetheless a fitting opportunity to dwell on the values the two countries share, including a respect for democracy and human rights. “Israel is a beacon in a very, very troubled part of the world.”  

On behalf of Foreign Minister John Baird, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and the Canadian parliament, Bercovici said, “You [Israel] have our unwavering support.”

Air Canada’s director general in Israel, Ruth Ben-Tzur, extended condolences and spoke about the “incredible relationship between our countries.”

The national airline has ordered 37 of the new planes, to be phased in throughout 2014, at a cost of $6 billion.  Air Canada’s first 787 made its debut flight back in May on a short run between Toronto and Halifax.  

Tel Aviv is one of two initial international destinations for the Dreamliner, with flights to Japan’s Haneda airport rolling out first in mid-July. Service to Ben- Gurion International Airport is expected to begin on Aug. 6.  

Delays in rolling out the 787s forced the airline to fly leased 767s on several routes. Substituting less sophisticated planes led to complaints by passengers who thought they’d be flying in luxury.  But Ben-Tzur, saying the delays were due to Air Canada’s dependency on Boeing, told The CJN, “it’s something natural… no big deal.”

She called the new planes “perfect” for the Toronto-Tel Aviv route of nearly 6,000 miles (over 9,000 km), with 20 per cent fuel savings and increased speed to shave about an hour off the total travel time, bringing the trip down to about 11 hours.  “This aircraft is a game changer,” Ben-Tzur said.  

Passengers in all classes will have a more comfortable experience, with silent cabins (“no engine noise”) and larger windows, which offer customized dimming to replace conventional blinds.  Flying may also be healthier, with more oxygen, more humid air, and fewer circulating pollutants.  

In a recorded greeting, Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu, who travelled with the prime minister’s delegation to Israel earlier in 2014 to witness first-hand “the evolution of tourism and business in Israel,” emphasized the airline’s intention to cement Toronto’s role as a hub for travellers flying to Israel from Western Canada and throughout the United States.

Air Canada has been serving Tel Aviv for nearly 20 years, the only Canadian airline offering direct flights.  

Bercovici had originally intended to speak about her plans to expand economic and trade relations between Israel and Canada during her term as ambassador, but decided against it given the tragedy.  Nevertheless, in light of our country’s shared values, she mentioned that she will do all she can “to move forward with zest, optimism and fortitude.”

Both the Canadian and Israeli national anthems were sung lustrously by Israeli-born Montrealer Kathleen Reiter, past winner of the TV series The Voice Israel.  Reiter sang several other selections, including Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, for its connection with her Canadian hometown.

“It’s Air Canada… and Canada Day,” said Ben-Tzur. “What could be more appropriate than combining the two?”