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United Nations

Iraq to Include Palestinians in UN Oil-for-Food Program to Alleviate Sanctions' Effects

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Iraq has taken a significant step in supporting the Palestinian cause by deciding to include Palestinians in the UN oil-for-food program, aimed at alleviating the crippling impacts of sanctions on Iraq. The cabinet meeting, concluded late Saturday night, saw Iraqi President Saddam Hussein order a formal request to be submitted to the UN Security Council and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. This decision comes in response to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian violence, which has claimed the lives of over 270 people, mostly Palestinians, and left thousands wounded in the past two months. Iraq has also dispatched a third medical team to Amman, Jordan, to help treat Palestinian casualties.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Iraqi government, under the leadership of President Saddam Hussein, has decided to send a formal memorandum to the UN to include Palestinians in the oil-for-food program, aimed at alleviating the effects of sanctions on Iraq.
  • The request will list "Palestinian brothers" in the spheres of food and medicine under the program, enabling Iraq to use its oil revenue to provide assistance to Palestinians under Israeli "embargo."
  • More than 6.5 million Iraqis have volunteered to go to Palestine to fight alongside the Palestinians against Israel in response to the call for a holy war to liberate Palestine from Israeli occupation.
  • Demonstrations have been held across the country to condemn the "Israeli butchery" against Palestinians.
  • The Iraqi government has dispatched a third medical team to Amman, Jordan, to help treat Palestinian casualties.
  • The decision has been regarded as one of the most important made by the Iraqi government to support the intifada (uprising) of Palestine against Israel.

Statistics:

  • Over 270 people, mostly Palestinians, have been killed in the Israeli-Palestinian violence in the past two months.
  • More than 6.5 million Iraqis have volunteered to go to Palestine to fight alongside the Palestinians.
  • Thousands of Palestinians have been wounded in the conflicts with Israeli soldiers.
  • Iraq has dispatched a third medical team to Amman, Jordan, to help treat Palestinian casualties.

Sources:

  • "Iraq to Include Palestinians in UN Oil-for-Food Program." XINHUA News Agency, November 26.
  • Iraqi News Agency (INA) report, November 26.

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