A Canadian university has defended a controversial decision to accept a master’s thesis that described Holocaust education as “racist”.

Jewish groups have reacted furiously to the revelation that the University of Toronto awarded a degree to a student for a work titled “The Victimhood of the Powerful: White Jews, Zionism and the Racism of Hegemonic Holocaust Education”.

The essay looked at two programmes which take young people to the Nazi sites of Poland; March of the Living for Jewish students, and the March of Remembrance and Hope, which educates non-Jewish participants.

"I'm not racist because I hate everybody equally, especially Jewish people"

The Canadian Prime Minister has said that his country will support Israel “whatever the cost”.

Speaking at a conference on combating antisemitism in Ottawa, Stephen Harper said that while Israel may be subjected to “fair criticism”, there was a moral obligation to take a stand against “demonisation, double standards, delegitimisation.”

"Canada and Israel have much in common. We're both big believers in democracy and in fairness, we're both highly diverse multicultural societies and both of us have dynamic economies.

“But I was tickled to learn this summer that Canada and Israel have yet one more thing in common: We're tied for eighth place among the happiest people on Earth.”

The Muslim preacher who has been banned from coming to Britain by Home Secretary Theresa May is to headline a religious conference in Canada.

Zakir Naik has been asked to speak at the Journey of Faith Conference in Toronto next month, July 2-4, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The invitation follows the decision by Mrs May to exclude Dr Naik from the UK.

She said: “Numerous comments made by Dr Naik are evidence to me of his unacceptable behaviour.

The Canadian prime minister has called for a senior politician to step down after she questioned Israel’s right to exist.

Stephen Harper joined other Canadian figures in demanding the resignation of Libby Davies from her position as the deputy leader of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) following comments at an anti-Israel rally.

Ms Davies was asked in a video interview whether “the occupation in Israel started in '48 or '67”.

Laughing, she replied: “1948, the year Israel became a State.

“It’s the longest occupation in the world.”

The 80s teen heartthrob Corey Haim, the ex-boyfriend of Victoria Beckham, has died aged 38.

Mr Haim, who was born in Toronto, Canada, had an Israeli mother, Judy, and a Canadian-Jewish father Bernie.

Corey found fame in the cult movie The Lost Boys. He would later star in reality TV show The Two Coreys, alongside Lost Boys co-star Corey Feldman, who is also Jewish.

Mr Haim had been open about his battle with prescription drug addiction, including Valium. He was found dead by his mother in his Los Angeles apartment.