Harper And Netanyahu To Talk Sunday For First Time Since Israeli Election

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is planning a Sunday telephone call to his Israeli counterpart and friend, Benjamin Netanyahu.

The hardline Israeli leader won Tuesday's hotly contested national election but not before making some incendiary remarks in the final days of the campaign that raised the ire of the Obama administration in Washington.

Fearing a loss of votes among his most extreme right-wing supporters, Netanyahu said he that he opposed Palestinian statehood under the current conditions, which flies in the face of the Middle East policy of Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

Netanyahu has since appeared to backtrack in an interview with U.S. media, saying he supports a Palestinian state under improved conditions.

Harper tweeted his congratulations on Wednesday but has yet to speak directly with Netanyahu.

Israeli officials say the two leaders are planning to talk on Sunday after the Jewish Sabbath.