Saddam Hussein: Intifada's patron

Palestinian demonstrators carry an Iraqi flag

By Richard Engel in Ramallah

Over the past 10 months of violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has supported the Palestinians in their revolt against Israel both politically and financially.

The Iraqi president's programme of giving money to families of Palestinians killed by Israelis is winning him popularity, which he hopes will help bolster his position in the Arab world.

Really, it's not just the money, it's Saddam's just and strong political position. He doesn't give in to Israel or America. He doesn't give in. He represents us

Mother of a boy killed in the Intifada

President Saddam Hussein's representatives in the West Bank and Gaza visit families of victims of the violence.

There are follow-up calls to see how they are. One particular family received $10,000 - equivalent to one year's salary - from the Iraqi leader after their son Majed was killed by an Israeli shell.

Saddam Hussein has given more than $6m to the families of Palestinians killed during the last 10 months.

He has also handed out individual gifts of either $500 or $1000 to those injured by Israelis, the amount depending on the severity of the wounds.

Moral support

Majed's mother says it is Saddam's moral rather than financial support that she appreciates.

"Really, it's not just the money, it's Saddam's just and strong political position. He doesn't give in to Israel or America. He doesn't give in. He represents us," she said.

The main point is to come back to the Arab fold... Saddam Hussein is trying to use these things to move forward in the region and internationally as well

Israeli academic Ofra Bengio

Saddam Hussein's activities in the Palestinian territories are carried out by a local offshoot of Iraq's ruling Baath Party, known here as the Arab Liberation Front.

One of the organisation's leaders, Abu al-Moataz says the Iraqi president is trying to help the Palestinians for the sake of Arab unity.

"Saddam considers the Palestinian people as part of the Iraqi people, and what he does for them is like how he tries to help his own people. Many here have expressed support for Saddam, and all he wants is for people to remain in their homeland."

Old ally

The Palestinian people have felt they have an ally in Saddam Hussein since he launched Scud missiles at Israel during the Gulf War.

The relationship has been strengthened since, as Palestinians increasingly lose faith that there can be a diplomatic solution to their conflict with Israel.

Ofra Bengio, who lectures on Iraqi politics at Tel Aviv University, says that by emerging as a benefactor of the Palestinian intifada, the Iraqi president has made it difficult for Arab states to keep him isolated in the region.

"The main point is to come back to the Arab fold, and you know that the dividend that he has managed to get already was to be accepted at the Arab summit last year. He is trying to use these things to move forward in the region and internationally as well."

While Arab nations have pledged a billion dollars to support the Palestinians during the intifada, much of the money has not been seen here in Ramallah.

But the Iraqi leader's donations have arrived in full, earning him credibility in the streets. At weekly demonstrations, Palestinians regularly carry Iraqi flags and photographs of President Saddam Hussein.