Palestinians see Hussein as a tyrant, yet their ally

December 16, 2003

BY LUCIO GUERRERO Staff Reporter



The capture of Saddam Hussein this weekend is bittersweet for thousands of Arab Americans living in the Chicago area.

While most agree that Hussein was a tyrant and ruthless dictator to his people, they also know that the former Iraqi president was a friend to the Palestinian cause. He was also praised by many Palestinians for lobbing a missile at Israel during the 1991 Gulf War.

"It was a shock to see him like that," said Fayez Salah, a Palestinian from Jerusalem who owns the World of Gifts store in Bridgeview. "For his people he was bad, but he talked about helping the Palestinian people."

"At least he was on our side."

And it was more than just talk. Iraq and Hussein were responsible for giving cash to families of Palestinian suicide bombers in Israel.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-palest16.html