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An Iraqi Perspective on Israel

(Algemeiner) Hussain Abdul-Hussain - Growing up in Iraq, I learned in elementary school that three things should not have been created: "Persians, Jews and flies." Most Iraqis are Shiites. Because of animosity toward the Sunnis, Shiites rarely sympathize with the "Palestinian cause," which is viewed as a Sunni issue. In fact, the holiest Islamic spots in Jerusalem, the Mosque of Omar and the Dome of the Rock, were both constructed by people that Sunnis revere and Shiites hate. Popular opinion in Iraq is ripe for peace and normalization with Israel. Non-Arabs, such as most Kurds, who make up one quarter of the population, have been friends with Israel for decades. But until Iraqis can enjoy freedom of expression, many of them will run for the exits every time the word Israel is mentioned. Iraqis want peace with Israel, but are not willing to sacrifice their lives for it. The writer is a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
2021-10-07 00:00:00
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