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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Iraqi Palestinians squeezed by security crackdown |
| 2005-06-10 |
| Sympathy Meter please... BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Palestinian refugee Thaier Noureddine never wanted to leave Iraq, even if he could return to the land his family fled after the 1948 Middle East war. Ummmmm...your family's been out of there since 1948. I think "refugee" might be what you call yourself when you just want to pick up Arab chicks.Or talk to Reuters. But he's been desperate for a way out since Iraqi security forces arrested his brother Ghazwaan and three other Palestinians in a crackdown on foreign fighters from Arab countries and Iraqi guerrillas suspected of "terrorist" attacks. "He did nothing wrong. Is being a Palestinian a crime?" Noureddine asked. Maybe. But I'd definitely consider it "probable cause". Iraq -- with its history of dictatorship and war -- has been the only home some Palestinian refugees have known since their families settled here after the violent birth of Israel in 1948. The "violent birth of Israel". How "Reuterian"! They have blended in over the years, as doctors, coffee shop owners and labourers in the major oil-producing country, but are now finding themselves under scrutiny from the police, state officials, the government and even their neighbors. Geez, can't imagine why. "Let them move us to Palestine or any country. I am ready to live in Sudan, in Darfur. It has problems. But if they take us we will go," said Noureddine, referring to the devastated western province of Sudan. Suuuuuuuuure you will... Some Iraqis believe that Palestinians in Iraq enjoyed privileges like free education and low-cost housing under Saddam Hussein, who portrayed himself as a champion of the Palestinian cause and delivered fiery anti-Israel speeches. Now some of the 20,000 Palestinians in Iraq say they have been unfairly targeted by a government clampdown on guerrillas and subjected to abuse by Iraqis who believe they were cosseted by Saddam or are involved in guerrilla attacks. Payback does indeed suck. "Twenty-five Palestinians were arrested in May," said acting Palestinian ambassador Dalil Qoussus. "They are innocent." They always are... The Noureddine family's troubles began when Iraqi security forces showed up at Ghazwaan's apartment after a bombing killed 14 people at a crowded market in eastern Baghdad in May. His relatives said he was beaten and then taken away. "They fired bullets at the door of his apartment. Some landed in the bedroom," Thaier said. Ghazwaan and three other Palestinians soon appeared on "Terrorists in the Grip of Justice," a television show in which suspects confess to crimes including bombings and rape. What's up with that, Thaier? Did he just want to get on TV? It was not possible to determine if the confessions were genuine. Some of the suspects on the show had bruised faces, including one of the four Palestinians. Detainees have often complained of being beaten by Iraqi security forces and police. "Reuters. We insinuate, you decide." The arrests have led Palestinians to keep a low profile.In Baghdad's Baladiyat slum that is home to many of Iraq's Palestinian refugees, shops have been shuttered and alleyways are quiet, with a few bicycles leaning on tin shacks. One child holding a toy gun just stared out a window. Dreaming of his sparkling future killing Jews or Infidels, maybe? "We can't show our identification cards because they will see we are Palestinians. They think Arabs and Palestinians are terrorists," said Ghazwaan's sister Hala. "When we go to the market they call us terrorists. We can't even take a taxi because they call us terrorists." Now why would anybody think that? UNCERTAIN FUTURE Palestinian refugees, many born in Iraq, never had much of a say in their future, and they still don't. Their lack of proper documents makes it difficult to travel outside Iraq. Palestinians fear being swept up in security offensives against Arab guerrillas who have carried out suicide bombings that have killed thousands of people. Brosh Shaways, secretary general of Iraq's Defense Ministry, said security forces had not singled out Palestinians for arrest, but were detaining any suspicious Arabs without proper papers. Yes, but they're "Palestinians". They're special suspicious Arabs without proper papers. "Unfortunately there are foreigners and Arabs who take part in terrorist acts and explosions and making car bombs," he told Reuters. "It is the right of the Iraqi government and security forces to take action against them because the lives of innocent people are in danger." Obviously a facist stooge of the US puppet government. Palestinians can only hope escalating violence that threatens to push Iraq toward civil war will ease and take the pressure off their community. But guerrillas have stepped up attacks since the new government was announced in late April, killing more than 800 people, including civilians and security forces. Thaier and others are not taking any chances. The welder decided to close up his workshop because people started calling him "the brother of the terrorist" after the confession show tied Ghazwaan to the Baghdad bombing. A "welder" you say? Like in a "sheet metal shop"? The Nourreddine family say Ghazwaan was just a coffee shop owner, not someone who would carry out a bombing that left crushed limbs and bodies under burning cars. A...simple businessman. "We have no hostility toward Iraqis. We are not related to any terrorists," Except that guy who admits he raped and murdered a bunch of people. But does that make him a terrorist? said Hala, sitting beside Ghazwaan's children and holding up his picture. "Who is going to take care of his children?" Yasser's dead, Sammy's in the can. Who can we turn too? Isolated in the grim concrete buildings of Baladiyat, the Noureddines no longer see a future in Iraq. But they, like others, may have no choice. "When we hear any sound like an ambulance siren our hearts beat in fear. I am afraid they will kill me because I am the brother of the Palestinian," Thaier said. Poor victimized bastards. They may never have lived in Palestine but they sure are good at their National Pastime. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #6 "Reuters. We insinuate, you decide." tu3031: That's a good 'un! LMAO! |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2005-06-10 21:22 |
| #5 I am ready to live in Sudan, in Darfur Sounds like he can't wait to start raping those black muslim women and children in Darfur..... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2005-06-10 17:22 |
| #4 How can a person be "Palestinian" and "Iraqi" at the same time??? You're either from one place or the other, so PICK. And as "Palestine" isn't really a place, I'm going to go with Iraqi. |
| Posted by: Jennie Taliaferro 2005-06-10 16:45 |
| #3 "But he's been desperate for a way out since Iraqi security forces arrested his brother Ghazwaan and three other Palestinians in a crackdown on foreign fighters from Arab countries and Iraqi guerrillas suspected of "terrorist" attacks. "He did nothing wrong. Is being a Palestinian a crime?" Being identified as a group, with a very unpopular ex-dictator, who used your cause as a source of his own legitimacy, is, if not a crime, close enough to one as far as the ways of the world are concerned. You want to live as a dispersed minority, you need to develop a certain political astuteness. And a willingness to move on, when things go south. Take it from us, we KNOW. Or, if you dont want that, you might consider assimilating where you are. Intermarry with the locals. Who knows you might end up owning an Iraqi movie studio. Or your grandson might run for president of Iraq - but he'll be a Shia! |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2005-06-10 16:36 |
#2 In Baghdad's Baladiyat slum that is home to many of Iraq's Palestinian refugeesSo they live in slums in other countries too. Think it might be your fault, paleos? One child holding a toy gun just stared out a window.Gee, just like in the "homeland." Guess that proves it: It's genetic with these losers. If you clowns would really move to Sudan, I'd gladly chip in on the (one-way) ticket. Just for the entertainment value. Oxygen thieves. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2005-06-10 16:06 |
#1 "Is being a Palestinian a crime?"Usually. "Refugee" my fat ass. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2005-06-10 16:00 |