WASHINGTON — The old saying “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” appears to have resonance for American Jewish groups and the Iraqi dissidents seeking to overthrow the government of Saddam Hussein.
Jewish groups have privately met with Iraqi opposition leaders in the past, but today some groups are forging a broader, more public relationship.
In the last two weeks the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs have sponsored discussions with members of the Iraqi National Congress, a prominent Iraqi opposition group, which is financially supported by the U.S. government.
With the Bush administration pursuing a policy of regime change in Iraq, the INC and Jewish groups say they have something to gain from a strong bond.
The INC sees a way to tap into Jewish influence in Washington and Jerusalem, and drum up increased support for its cause.
The Jewish groups see an opportunity to pave the way for better relations between Israel and Iraq, if and when the INC is involved in replacing Saddam’s regime.
“It’s important for Jewish groups to have a relationship with anyone who is a problem for Saddam,” said Tom Neumann, JINSA’s executive director.
Still, the relationship is a complicated one, which some are approaching with caution and others are warning will work against Jewish interests.
“It’s not too wise to get involved with them,” said Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
He and others worry that alliances with the Iraqi opposition will revive the notion put forth during the 1991 Persian Gulf War that American military action in Iraq is intended to help Israel.
But the Jewish groups working with the INC say they share a common interest — removing Saddam from power — for the benefit of Iraq, the United States and Israel.
The INC was founded shortly after the end of the Persian Gulf War, combining several smaller opposition forces within Iraq. It currently operates a newspaper, television station, regional offices and a center for humanitarian relief. It is based in Salahuddin in Iraq, and lists its external base as London.
The United States has given the INC more than $18 million over the past three years and is expected to give the INC another $8 million for the second half of this year, as part of a new cooperative agreement.
Against this backdrop, with the INC finding favor in Washington — and seeking more — Ahmed Chalabi, the INC president, was invited to a JINSA dinner on Oct. 9 on Long Island.
Entifadh Qanbar, the INC’s Washington office director, spoke at an Oct. 7 gathering of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Atlanta.
Jewish leaders say they are able to garner a new perspective from their talks with Iraq’s opposition leaders.
“With so much attention focused on Iraq and its future post-Saddam Hussein, we felt it was important for our members to get some insight in to the prospects for bringing democracy to the Iraqi people,” said Josh Block, an AIPAC spokesman.
Although there is only a possibility of them being pro-Israel, “they won’t be anti-Israel,” Neumann said of a new Iraqi government led by opposition forces.
Chalabi told the JINSA audience last week that Saddam is the source of all terrorism in the Middle East, and a governmental change in Iraq would change the dynamics for the whole region, to the benefit of the United States and Israel.
He also said the United States will not be able to effectively deal with Al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden until it deals with Saddam.
Observers say the INC is also trying to tap into the strong alliances that Jewish organizations have with Congress, hoping that highlighting the prospects for Israel under a post-Saddam Iraq will sway more pro-Israel lawmakers to support U.S. action.
While JINSA has had a relationship with Chalabi for 10 years, according to Neumann, other groups are supporting him publicly for the first time.