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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Palestinians mourn execution of Saddam |
| 2006-12-30 |
| The execution of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein sent many Palestinians into deep mourning Saturday as they struggled to come to terms with the demise of perhaps their most steadfast ally. Unlike much of the rest of the world, where Saddam was viewed as a brutal dictator who oppressed his people and started regional wars, in the West Bank and Gaza he was seen as a generous benefactor unafraid to fight for the Palestinian cause - even to the end. Purportedly, Saddam's final words were, "Palestine is Arab." "We heard of his martyrdom, and I swear to God we were deeply shaken from within," said Khadejeh Ahmad from the Qadora refugee camp in the West Bank. "Nobody was as supportive or stood with the Palestinians as he did." During the first Gulf War in 1991, the Palestinians cheered Saddam's missile attacks on Israel, chanting "Beloved Saddam, strike Tel Aviv," as the Scud missiles flew overhead. Saddam further endeared himself to the Palestinians during the recent intifada with Israel by giving USD 25,000 to the family of each suicide bomber and USD 10,000 for each Palestinian killed in fighting. The stipends amounted to an estimated USD 35 million. His support for the Palestinians was at least partially aimed at gaining widespread support throughout the Arab world. Saddam's downfall was seen as a great tragedy by Palestinians, who lionized Saddam and praised his willingness to stand up to America and Israel. "Saddam was a person who had the ability to say, 'No' in the face of a great country," said Hosni al Ejel, 46, from the al Amari refugee camp near Ramallah. "He wanted the Palestinian people to have a state and a government and to be united. But God supports us, and we pray to God to punish those who did this," said Ghanem Mezel, 72, from the town of Saeer in the southern West Bank. Others were happy to hear of Saddam's alleged final words, believing that his support for them remained unshakable until the end. Palestinians in the West Bank town of Bethlehem opened a "House of condolences" where people can gather to mourn Saddam. The organizers hung Iraqi flags, pictures of Saddam and broadcast Iraqi revolutionary songs. Mohammed Barghouti, the minister of labor in the Hamas-led Palestinian Cabinet, said that although his Islamic group was often at odds with the secular Saddam, his execution was wrong. "The Palestinians had bonded with Iraqis in brotherhood," he said. In Israel, where Saddam was seen as an enemy, there was little sadness. But Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh expressed concerns about Iraq's path in the post-Saddam era. According to Sneh, Israel was concerned about the strengthening of Iranian influence in the Shiite sections of southern Iraq and in the central government. Iraq had also become a regional "power station" for terror that could spread chaos throughout the Middle East, he said. "We have to be worried about what is going to happen now," he said. |
| Posted by:phil_b |
| #9 "We heard of his martyrdom,.... ??Getting strung up and hanging is martyrdom now?? |
| Posted by: Jan from work 2006-12-30 16:51 |
| #8 Made up final words for a made up group, there is no such group as Palestinians. They are Arabs from Jordan, the press has been pimping for this "victim group" since day one. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2006-12-30 14:28 |
| #7 "Palestinians mourn execution of Saddam" Figures. As usual, the paleos never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. *spit* |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2006-12-30 11:23 |
| #6 Purportedly, Saddam's final words were, "Palestine is Arab." or, more accurately: "Ackkk" same/same |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-12-30 10:46 |
| #5 Guess the Paleos won't be passing out any candy this morning, lol... |
| Posted by: Raj 2006-12-30 09:19 |
| #4 Compared to Uncle Sam, Saddam was a miser: Since the 1993 Oslo Accords, the United States has distributed $1.3 billion for Palestinian programs in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, in humanitarian and economic assistance. Congress has appropriated $125 million for Palestinian programs for 2003. I don't think we have to worry about the Palestinians thanking us anytime soon. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2006-12-30 09:16 |
| #3 The worth of a person can best be defined by who misses you when you are gone. If the Palis and the UN are crying, along with a bunch of crazed moonbats, then you know the person in question was a worthless POS. |
| Posted by: Swamp Blondie 2006-12-30 09:07 |
| #2 Tell me again why we are sending money to these people and trying to get statehood for them? I thought Bush said that people who supported terrorist were our enemies. |
| Posted by: sam3rd 2006-12-30 08:57 |
| #1 HAHA! No more money for murder for you! |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2006-12-30 08:25 |