The Iraqi legislator who visited Israel last week is facing prosecution and even execution.
Mithal al-Alusi, who has been an advocate for peace with Israel, went to the Jewish state to attend a counterterrorism conference.
In retribution for his peace efforts, fellow Iraqi lawmakers voted to discard his immunity from prosecution. He is accused of humiliating his country by visiting the Jewish state.
Though his execution is unlikely, Alusi may lose his seat in parliament — the only seat belonging to his liberal secularist party.
Alusi went to Israel to rally international support for Iraq’s fight against terrorism. He accuses Iran of meddling with his country’s internal politics.
“Iran is behind Hamas and Hezbollah and many other terrorist organizations,” he told The Associated Press. “Israelis are suffering like me, like my people. So we need to be together. Peace will have more of a chance.”
Alusi used his German passport to travel to Israel free of Iraqi visa restrictions. He also visited in 2005, and subsequently two of his sons were assassined in Baghdad — Alusi likely was the target.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
