Reply #42: Locking

[Lithos]

This article has generated some extremely inflammatory discussion.

Israel has had a rather strong relationship with the Kurds which started shortly after the 1948 War when Israel was reaching out to non-Arab allies. There is a rather famous photo of the famous Kurdish natioal leader, Mustafa Barzani, embracing Moshe Dayan during this early time period.

The Kurds helped rather extensively during the 1950 emigration of Jews from Iraq which reveals a rather significant relationship at this time. Israel in turn has supplied the Kurds over the years with both arms and humanitarian assistance. Israel was also a major player in the arming and training of the Kurdish militia and the source of humanitarian assistance following the first Gulf War. Israel has even allowed the use of it's state radio equipment for the airing of radio programs into Kurdistan by one of the largest Kurdish parties, the KDP.

So is it surprising that the Kurds would favor Israel which actually has served as one of their few allies?

This article was not about any grand conspiracy on the part of Israel or the US which is how it appears to be taken. Given the background above it is rather obvious Israel is not "sneaking" into Iraq on the coattails of Bush, Cheney and Halliburton, but is very likely continuing a relationship at the genuine request of the Kurds themselves.

Lithos
I/P Forum Moderator