MIDDLE EAST: Waving Iraqi flags and traipsing over the Stars and Stripes, a cheering crowd of Palestinians rallied yesterday in support of President Saddam Hussein in Gaza.
"America is launching a war against Arabs and Muslims in the name of fighting terrorism," Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder of the fundamentalist Islamic group Hamas, which has carried out dozens of suicide bombings in Israel, told the crowd of about 1,000.
While women and children waved Palestinian and Iraqi flags, most of those present belonged to the Arab Liberation Front.
People entering the cultural centre where the rally was held had to step on Israeli and US flags laid down by organisers.
"Bush listen carefully, we are all for Saddam," cheered the crowd, pumping their fists in the air. "Dear Saddam, bomb Tel Aviv," cried dozens in the crowd.
Iraq launched 39 Scud missiles at Israel during the 1991 Gulf War, causing heavy damage but few casualties. Many carried posters of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Mr Saddam.
Iraq has distributed millions of dollars to families of Palestinians killed in the two-year-old uprising, including those of suicide bombers, whose relatives receive cheques for $25,000. Officials said $360,000 was distributed by representatives of Iraq to 36 families in the Gaza Strip yesterday.
"Our thanks to Saddam Hussein, who is supporting us despite the difficult circumstances. We ask God to be on his side and help him against America," said Ahmed Ja'rour, whose son Khaled was killed in April.
Sheikh Yassin told the crowd that President Bush wanted to attack Iraq because Baghdad did not recognise the right of "Zionists to exist in Palestine".
He vowed Hamas would continue its fight against Israel, including suicide attacks, despite Palestinian Interior Minister Mr Abdel-Razzak al-Yahya's recent call to end all violence. - (Reuters)