Iraqi MP Slated Over Israel Visit

by Jennifer Lipman - Thursday 18th September 2008


An Iraqi MP has been stripped of his immunity and could face prosecution after visiting Israel for an international terrorism seminar last week.

Mithal al-Alusi came under fire in Iraq for attending the seminar in Herzliya.
Addressing the Institute for Policy and Strategy, al-Alusi was critical of his homeland and called for increased cooperation between the two countries in confronting terrorism.

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Opposition MPs claimed going to Israel was a violation of Iraqi law and a betrayal of the regime. On his return, they called for him to be punished and Iraq's parliament voted last weekend to lift his immunity. This means that he can now be prosecuted for visiting the Jewish state which Iraq doesn't have diplomatic ties with. Al-Alusi has also been banned from travelling abroad and cannot attend parliamentary sessions.

The latest attack on the Sunni MP comes four years after he was expelled from the Iraqi National Congress for a previous trip to Israel. He subsequently set up the Democratic Party of the Iraqi Nation and, since September 2004, has been its only parliamentary representative.

In February 2005, allegedly in retaliation for his first visit to Israel, two of al-Alusi's sons and a bodyguard were killed in one of several assassination attempts.

A spokesman for the Zionist Federation in London described al-Alusi as "incredibly brave", adding: "This is a worrying development for Iraq's future."

A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in London echoed the support for the MP. He said that whilst Arab citizens who visit Israel know they are running a risk in their own country, "it is an alarming phenomenon that whoever speaks with the other side is being described as a collaborator or a traitor".

He called for moderates on both sides to be "very determined in attempts to achieve peace and security and not succumb to threats of extremists".
"He is an example to be emulated by any Arab who wants to speak in peace with Israel," said the spokesperson.

This is not the first time this year an Iraqi politician has come under fire for associating himself with Israel. In July, there was an outcry after President Jalal Talabani shook hands with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak.

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