Imams in Iraq preach anti-US sermons; claim Jews are buying their land

Attacks against U.S. forces showed no sign of letting up Friday after a rocket-propelled grenade slammed into a power station in Fallujah, injuring two American soldiers and blacking out much of the city a center of anti-American hostility.

At Friday prayers, imams preached anti-American sermons, claiming Jews are buying up real estate in Iraq. Based on groundless rumors, the warnings from pulpits, on leaflets and in Iraqi newspapers reflected Iraqis' fear and anger over the U.S.-led occupation.

After weeks of sniping and ambushes around Iraq, American forces raided nine locations Friday "to isolate and defeat noncompliant forces throughout Iraq," said the U.S. Central Command. It did not specify where the raids took place.

Five people were detained and several small arms were seized in the sweep, continuing an operation dubbed Desert Scorpion that began Sunday after the deadline passed for Iraqis to turn in banned weapons without penalty.

In Fallujah, 30 miles west of Baghdad, assailants fired rocket-propelled grenades at two U.S. armored vehicles guarding the gates of a power station before midnight Thursday. The rockets missed, but hit a transformer and ignited a fireball that lit the night sky.

One soldier suffered a concussion from the impact and another was bruised. The platoon called for reinforcements, and about 40 Iraqis were arrested trying to flee, said Capt. James Brownlee of the 3rd Infantry Division.

The attack knocked out one of the two transformers at the power plant that provides nearly half the electricity to this city of about 200,000 people.

Sabotage against power and water installations has been a key element of anti-American resistance. The U.N. Development Program reported Thursday that power delivery to Baghdad fell to 800 megawatts from 1300 megawatts two weeks ago because of sabotage and persistent high temperatures above 100 degrees.

In Samarra, an ancient town 75 miles north of Baghdad, an armored patrol was ambushed for the second consecutive night. The patrol wounded and captured an assailant who fired an automatic weapon on the vehicles Thursday night, said Col. Don Campbell of the 4th Infantry Division.

As the Americans asserted their control through in the raids, rumors swept Baghdad that many of the American soldiers are Jews and are buying property in Iraq.

Jews had a powerful community in Iraq until they began emigrating in the 1940s and 1950s, before and after establishment of Israel.

"The Jews are buying real estate, homes, shops and agricultural fields, using fake names, to do to us what they did with Palestine," said the preacher at the Mother of All Battles Mosque in Baghdad, Thaer Ibrahim al-Shomari. "Be careful, and don't rush to sell. The country is dear and the land is dear."

The imam was referring to a program by Jewish organizations in the early 20th century to buy Arab land in Palestine to create communal settlements, one of the engines for Israel's founding.

Similar warnings against selling property were plastered on the walls of Baghdad University in leaflets signed by "a jealous citizen."

"My Muslim brother, do not sell your house no matter how high the price. Do not leave this beloved country," said the flier. "It does not matter who is being, because the Jews are behind it."

There was no evidence supporting any such claim. There are an estimated 40 to 60 Jews left in Baghdad compared to 250,000 six decades ago.

Also Friday, a previously unknown group threatened more attacks on U.S. soldiers. In a videotape broadcast by Lebanon's Al Hayat-LBC satellite television, the National Iraqi Commandos Front vowed to avenge Iraqis killed by coalition forces.

A statement read by one of the group's members said it had no links with deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

"We have sworn and pledged to God that they (U.S. forces) will get successive strikes which will be harsher and more bitter than the previous strikes," said the statement, read by a man whose face and head were covered with a red kaffiyeh.

You know Yonif, you and I know this is pure B.S. It angers me, but you know it's going to take place. Today I heard something that bothered me a bit. Netanyahu was addressing the issue of an oil pipeline from Iraq to Israel. He was saying something like it wasn't out of the question.

This bothered me, because I new it would fuel the debate over Israel benefiting from Iraq, and that it might make it easier for the Imams to make the arguement.

Frankly I would like Israel to avoid feeding that impression if they could. I think it would be a wise move.

The Imams will make that argument (that the Jews are behind it, whatever "it" is) with or without the help of the Jews.

So don't worry about it, and don't let fear of what the Imams might say shut your mouth, ever!

Screw the Imams!

We know this is just more BS put out by the Baghdad Bob wannabe Imams, but...

a) If the Iraqis weren't SELLING, there could be no BUYING, by Jews or anyone else! Once again, they are blaming the messenger.

b) If the "Iraqi Resistance" wants to knock out their own electrical and water supplies... fine. The Coalition should assign Iraqi guards to the electric and water supply stations, and assign Iraqis to repair and maintain them too. The Iraqis should be paid with some of that $1 Billion that was found. If the Iraqi Resistance wants to knock out power/water, then the Iraqi citizens can deal with it and then it is not our fault or our problem. Maybe then we would see some Iraqi citizens rise up against these troublemakers and tell them to quit causing problems. (I'll keep dreaming on that one.)

Netanyahu was addressing the issue of an oil pipeline from Iraq to Israel. He was saying something like it wasn't out of the question.

Yeah, I got a real kick out of Bibi yapping away excitedly about grabbing his share of the spoils of America's hard work. He's pure class all the way.

It's no wonder American presidents can't stand, and don't trust, the guy.

I also somewhat agree with the Imams on this one, however their criticism should not have been directed solely (and predictably) at Jews, but at any group who are attempting to carpetbag Iraq while it's in a post war state of semi-chaos, desperation, and misery.

Yeah, I got a real kick out of Bibi yapping away excitedly about grabbing his share of the spoils of America's hard work. He's pure class all the way.

Funny, I don't see you levying that charge against any other country that is planning on buying oil from the new Iraq.

Also, the US Marines and Army have observers in Israel who learn from Israeli urban combat techniques, and you can bet your bottom that the US benefitted much from Israeli intelligence about Iraq and terrorist groups.

Additionally, we are talking about reopening an existing oil pipeline. Wouldn't it be in the interest of Iraq to have another steady oil customer, especially one that is the only modern, viable economy in the mid-east?

It's no wonder American presidents can't stand, and don't trust, the guy.

As if American presidents of late have been particularly worthy of trust... Don't even get me started on Bush. Caving to the RATS on tax rebates to people who don't pay taxes, on the prescription drug benefit for seniors, ignoring border security with Mexico and Canada, the phony Roadmap to Peace, sucking up to the Saudidollars by ignoring US citizens kidnapped and taken to Saudi Arabia, saying he will "only" allow the federal government to grow by 4% a year - how about SHRINKING it 4% a year?

Again, Bibi said he'd like to be a customer, paying cash (which the Iraqis need) for oil (which they have plenty of.)

What's the problem?

Also, what you describe as "Carpetbagging" some might refer to as "foreign investment" which Iraq sure could use.

...and you can bet your bottom that the US benefitted much from Israeli intelligence about Iraq and terrorist groups.

Actually, I believe the Administration has come to realize that Isreali supplied Intel has to be run at least twice through a BS detector prior to being taken seriously. I think that was proven when Bush spit the bit at Syria's doorstep after all that Isreali Intel said Syria has the WMDs.

Wouldn't it be in the interest of Iraq to have another steady oil customer, especially one that is the only modern, viable economy in the mid-east?

Are you suggesting that Iraq would have any problems whatsoever finding customers to purchase their oil?...That is as funny as it is ridiculous.

Also, what you describe as "Carpetbagging" some might refer to as "foreign investment" which Iraq sure could use.

I disagree and stand by the term "carpetbagging" as Iraq is still in an unsettled and confused state. Those who are anxious for "attention K-Mart shoppers" bargains in Iraq at this time are vultures IMO, spitting in the face of what our post war plans were for that country and it's people were.

You might enjoy profiteering on the backs of other peoples misfortune...I find it tawdry.

Heres the conflict as I see it. I generally agree with your comments, but... heh heh.

We have in the past taken great measures to act unbiased in the region. Often we even go so far as to verbally take Israel to task for responding to terrorism. So I think it's safe to use the term 'great measures'.

Now it appears we might consider building a pipeline from Iraq to Israel. That doesn't seem very neutral does it? Where Arabs have been charging we were doing this to take control of the oil, this just feeds that claim. It also feeds the claim that we are only interested in Israel's interests, or doing their bidding, also a huge claim in the area.

Yes they are going to hate Israel and us no matter what, but feeding that hatred does nobody any good.

I recognize others will disagree on this, but that's my take on it.

Thanks.

The pipeline has always been there. There is no need to build one ~ just open the valves on the one that's there (after fixing up some of the bullet holes and blown up sections that run through Jordan).

There is a greater question here, and it has to be resolved before anyone can get around to dealing with the Palestinian demand for a "right of return".

That question is what about compensation for the losses suffered by the 250,000 Iraqi Jews who were forced by conditions in Iraq to flee to Israel in the early 1950s? Did those folks lose all their rights just because they had to run for their lives? Should they share in the coming oil wealth that will be pouring into Iraq? Can they have their old houses in their old neighborhoods back, with clear property titles?

As those questions get answered it's possible everyone of there will begin to follow the same "road map" (except for Hamas which of course will self-destruct as soon as possible somewhere in the West Bank.)

You still haven't given a reason why you think that Iraq should sell to anyone *but* Israel,

Well, I said that Iraq would have no problem finding customers to buy as much oil as it could produce...and I stand by that assertion. Why would they ever (of free will) partner up with their most antagonistic, hostile, and most threatening neighbor? Would you do business with someone who had been a major instigator/player in the destruction of your business, or home, or both?....I think only a schmuck on wheels would do that.

....which is surrounded by Arab states who refuse to sell it oil...

As long as Isreal continues to hard sell it's "regime change list" for it's Arab neighbors in DC, I don't blame the Arab nations for not wanting to sell Isreal oil at all.

IMO, Isreal should proceed quickly with the road map as a means to begin to lower tensions in the region and create a better business climate.

I generally like Netanyahu. I was surprised to see him support this.

I can appreciate Isrealis liking Netanyahu, but he's proven himself untrustworthy, and trouble maker when it comes to America's interests.

I gotta' figure any guy who can earn the complete disdain of two Bushes and a Bubba has to be a total a-hole.

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