GAZA CITY Ñ The Palestinian Authority has helped organize
demonstrations in support of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Palestinian sources said PA officials have joined rallies in several
cities in the Gaza Strip backing Saddam against a U.S.-led attack
on Baghdad.
The sources said PA officials have ordered employees of several
government agencies to participate in the demonstrations.
The Palestinian rallies have included the burning of flags of Israel and
the United States and shooting, Middle East Newsline reported. Demonstrators have chanted
appeals for Saddam to launch missile attacks against Israel.
The demonstrations have also included posters of Saddam and PA
Chairman Yasser Arafat. Arafat backed Saddam in the 1991
Gulf war.
The pro-Saddam demonstrations began last week in Gaza City and are being
led by the ruling Fatah movement. Most of the mid-level and senior positions
in the PA are manned by Fatah members.
Iraq has sent more than $30 million to finance the Palestinian
insurgency war against Israel. Much of the money has gone to the families of
Palestinian suicide bombers.
Palestinian sources said families of suicide attackers have received
between $25,000 and $30,000 from Baghdad. The families of others killed in
the Palestinian war have received about $10,000.
