Because he was a secularist who was the main obstacle to the spread of militant Islam. It is true that he was hostile and very annoying toward Israel, but those who will replace him will not be any friendlier. The Reagan policy to support Saddam Hussein was beneficial for Israel even if Israeli (and some American) Jews refused to see it.
Same was with the last little war of Israel against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. It was very harmful for Israel although it satisfied emotions of anger and frustration among Israeli Jews.
Those on the right (or left) who wish ill to Israel should call for an attack on Iran. Read my tagline.
No. Not by the '90s he wasn't.
After the first Gulf War he made a big point reconciling Ba'athism with Islam. He was shown praying 5 times a day along with encouraging a resurgence of Islam in Iraq.
He, unlike the Old Right, knew which side his felafel was buttered on.
I know his hanging was a hard blow to take, but maybe if the paleocons and Pat B. take up a collection you can make up the $25,000 he paid to the shaheed who blew up jews.