Iraqi writer and researcher Ghaith Al-Tamimi has challenged the widespread Arab demand that Iraq and other countries sacrifice their security and citizens for the Palestinian cause.
Speaking in a June 5 interview, Al-Tamimi said Iraq’s national security should not depend on whether Israel and Gaza are at war or at peace. He argued that Iraq’s future has nothing to do with Gaza or Tehran and questioned why Palestine is treated as the foremost cause of Arabs and Muslims.
“There are a million causes in the world,” he said, asking why only the Palestinian issue generates such large rallies and demands for sacrifice.
Al-Tamimi said Iraqis are frequently treated with contempt while simultaneously being expected to die for the Palestinian cause. He also asked why Lebanon should be destroyed because of Gaza and rejected the idea that Palestinians are more deserving of sacrifice than Iraqis.