Palestinians support Saddam, their enemy’s enemy

by Saud Abu Ramadan

Palestinians felt angry and bitter toward the trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, whom they considered as their enemy’s enemy.

For Palestinians, Saddam was a staunch supporter for their struggle against Israel, and he was also the only one who dared to fire rockets against Tel Aviv.

"This is a trial against Arabs and Muslims. Saddam is being prosecuted because he always calls for a free Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea," said Youssef Sharqawi, chief of the Palestinian national security.

Abu Ahmad, a leader of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the Fatah movement, said the court trying Saddam was not legal and formed by the US occupation.

Awni Al-Mashani, member of the Fatah’s higher committee, also considered the United States behind the whole thing and manipulating the court.

In the meantime, regular Palestinians have a tendency to draw ananalogy between the US occupation of Iraq and the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

They also made comparisons between Saddam who is being prosecuted by the US occupation and their veteran leader Yasser Arafat who is being besieged at his headquarters in the West Bankcity of Ramallah by the Israeli army.

"Why doesn’t the United States prosecute other Arab leaders who committed uglier crimes," wondered a Palestinian.

Ahamd Abu Lubad, a 45-year-old Gazan said, "I was so sad to see Saddam like this standing at a court, but he seemed confident and wise during the trial."

He added that he prayed for Saddam every day, wishing that he would be released and return to power one day and drive the US forces out.

Sa’deya Hasanen, another Gazan, said that Saddam was the only one who could make Israel fear and his detention made Israel feel more comfortable about its attacks against Palestinians.

"Israel is killing Palestinians, and none of the Arab countries has ever done a tiny thing to stop it. Now Saddam is in jail and all the other Arab countries are controlled by the United States," she said desperately.

Saddam was arraigned by a special Iraqi court last Thursday. Hewas charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during his presidency in Iraq. If found guilty, he would face the death penalty. Enditem (Xinhuanet)

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-07/07/content_1578708.htm