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Never before last week’s speech by Ambassador Samir Sakir Mahmood Sumaida’ie, Permanent Representative of Iraq to the Unite Nations, had I realized just how similar Iraq in its present state is to Israel in its present state.  Israel as a nation today was created by Britain, to the opposition of locals. Iraq as a nation today was created by America, to the opposition of locals.  When considering the births of these two nations, it should come as no surprise that these two nations, so fundamentally different in their governmental and religious systems, actually have quite a lot in common.

One major difference between Iraq and Israel are the countries that bequeathed them.  Britain’s control over Palestine endured for much longer prior to the creation of Israel than the United States control over Iraq.  The Palestinians who now vie for control of Israel though violent means never did have control over that territory, whereas in Iraq the insurgent terrorists are largely a group of people who used to be in control or in a position of power.  Saddam sapped the resources of the country prior to the creation of the current Iraqi state whereas Britain cannot be said to have done that to Israel.

However, in spite of apparent differences, the similarities are much more striking.  Like Israel, the creation of the new Iraqi state is hotly contested and controversial.  It has just as many proponents as opponents, just as Israel did at its creation (and indeed continues to).   Ambassador Sumaida’ie addressed that the justification for the US intervention includes weapons of mass destruction and security. Even this bears much similarity to the justification for the creation of the state of Israel following World War II.  Much of the justification for the creation of Israel rested on the security of the Jewish people in the face of mass genocide by Hitler.  Again, similarities where you would not expect to find them.

One major similarity that became apparent during this speech was the ineffective management of the US army.  Instead of taking over with a strong arm and forcing control on the people to quell the immediate reaction that would inevitably follow, Ambassador Sumaida’ie noted that no curfew was declared.  The police and army were disbanded.  The natural result was, of course, chaos, looting, and violence.  This is similar to what occurred at the creation of Israel.  Immediately after the creation of Israel, a lack of central government control resulted in an immediate Arab attack on the new state.  This is much like what is going on in Iraq right now.  The hope should be that the situation in Iraq does not continue in conflict for so long a time as the conflict in Israel, which continues to this day.

Insofar as religion and government are concerned, one would expect that surely there would be no similarity, but again, similarities between Iraq and Israel arise where one never would expect to find them.  In Iraq, according to Ambassador Sumaida’ie, “the Koran [is] an important source of legislation but not the only source of legislation.” In Israel the Torah is also important as a source of legislation, but is not exclusive, as Israel is a democracy and not a theocracy.  In both countries the respective religious texts are important but not overarching when it comes to government.

It is interesting how similar the description of Iraqis is to that of Israelis.  When they go out, they live in fear of terrorism. Sending their children to school, riding a bus, is dangerous.  “They” refers both to Iraqis and Israelis.  Even the description of the outlook toward the future of the Iraqi people bears resemblance to that of Israelis – they are positive, they think things will be better soon.  The similarities are striking.

The insurgents in Iraq are so similar to the Palestinian terrorists that the results of their attacks can hardly be told apart.  Are we discussing Iraq or Israel?  The terrorists in both situations are fighting in the name of Islam, they are extremists, and they use the same techniques (such as suicide bombings).  It almost makes one wonder if the terrorists in both countries are working together . . . so when will Iraq begin to help Israel?  When will the victims join forces?