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Last update - 13:49 05/07/2008 Iraqi MPs voice outrage after president shakes Barak's hand By Reuters Tags: Iraq, Ehud Barak, Israel  BAGHDAD - Several members of the Iraqi parliament called on President Jalal Talabani on Friday to apologize for shaking hands with Ehud Barak at a conference in Greece this week, saying that by shaking the Israeli defense minister's hand he had violated Iraqi law. Talabani, a Kurd, was introduced to Barak by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at a Socialist International meeting near Athens on Tuesday, where the historic handshake took place. The handshake, largely ignored by Iraq's media but covered in the Israeli press, sparked heated debate in Iraq's parliament on Thursday. Advertisement Like many Arab countries, Iraq does not recognize Israel. Some members accused Talabani of breaking Iraqi law, although it was unclear what the law says about Israel. "I told the speaker it was a slap in the face for the Iraqi people," said Ahmed al-Massoudi, from the movement of anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. "[The handshake] was a violation of law," he told reporters. Massoudi said he had received many complaints from Iraqis about the handshake and some members of parliament had called for an apology. Some had even urged Talabani to resign, he said. Under Iraq's political system the president is largely a figurehead. Ali al-Adeeb, a senior parliamentarian from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's Dawa party, said the handshake was unacceptable. "The president is supposed to represent Iraqi policy? which means not recognizing Israel ... He must apologize." Perhaps sensing the handshake might cause anger, Talabani's office issued a statement on Tuesday saying he met Barak as a representative of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party, not as Iraq's president. The PUK is one of two main Kurdish parties in Iraq. Fellow Kurds defended Talabani. "He was welcomed by Abbas who introduced him to Barak. It would have been illogical to refuse. It doesn't mean relations are normal," said Fuad Masoum, a Kurdish member of parliament. Related articles: Historic handshake: Barak meets Iraq's president in Athens Report: U.K. gov't hid reference to Israel on Iraq weapons dossier Bradley Burston / Israel must stay the hell out of U.S. debate on Iraq Bookmark to del.icio.us   Killing spree Police conclude Jerusalem bulldozer killer acted alone. The Bar exam Attention celebrities: Israeli start-up company can save you from paparazzi   1.   Iraqi Law? 19:06  |  Joseph 04/07/08   2.   Shaking hands a crime? 19:09  |  Ben Azai 04/07/08   3.   You said it..... 19:17  |  Palestinian Brit 04/07/08   4.   Talabani Already Shook The Hands Of A Persian That Hates Arabs .. 19:26  |  Lavi 04/07/08   5.   Response to Joseph 19:52  |  D. 04/07/08   6.   Iraq response is a direct insult to Israel and the USA 20:02  |  Shepherd 04/07/08   7.   An eye for an eye not original 20:18  |  David 04/07/08   8.   what law? 20:30  |  Louis 04/07/08   9.   what? 20:35  |  Louis 04/07/08   10.   Typical ARAB myopic response 20:43  |  Mike 04/07/08   11.   Iraqi MPs outrage after President shakes Barak`s hand 21:03  |  martin list, m.d. 04/07/08   12.   Shake , shake , shake 21:10  |  Sal 04/07/08   13.   Iraqi People Pay Attention 21:36  |  Yosemite 04/07/08   14.   Typical Dumbass Arab Response 21:37  |  Brent 04/07/08   15.   #6 Shepherd 21:46  |  ballistic 04/07/08   16.   #11 Say Dr List 21:47  |  ballistic 04/07/08   17.   Just shows the hatred for Israel. 22:10  |  Stephen. 04/07/08   18.   They`ll be lining up to shake hands..... 23:00  |  Gilles 04/07/08   19.   Childish and Pathetic 23:08  |  David G 04/07/08   20.   THE SHEER GALL... 23:09  |  Brant 04/07/08   21.   I tell them: What is the difference between Barack and ... 23:43  |  Sharif Hafez 04/07/08   22.   Killing women and children is "natural" and shaking hands offense 00:24  |  Alain 05/07/08   23.   PUKe? 00:40  |  Pervert 05/07/08   24.   PUKe? 00:40  |  Pervert 05/07/08   25.   mentality 01:56  |  Gideon 05/07/08   26.   Maybe Israel could Send Aid 02:12  |  Mark of Lewiston 05/07/08   27.   Oxymoron 02:19  |  Charles Smyth 05/07/08   28.   Shepard # 6 you are full of Crap 03:03  |  American in NY 05/07/08   29.   but Israeli Ministers would be removed or forced to resign if 03:25  |  Israeli Law 05/07/08   30.   To Mark of Lewiston 04:08  |  Lebanese in Canada 05/07/08   31.   20, just for visiting Arab MK would be banned from the Knesset 04:09  |  lydia 05/07/08   32.   Palestinian Brit 04:46  |  American GI 05/07/08   33.   More of the typical Arab hatred 07:48  |  Baruch Gold 05/07/08   34.   Rebuke Israel, You Rebuke Us! 07:52  |  Bill Maniaci 05/07/08   35.   The sound of one hand shaking 08:15  |  Natallie Durson 05/07/08   36.   viva isreal viva kurdistan 08:19  |  harman 05/07/08   37.   What Happens In Greece... 08:37  |  Yosemite 05/07/08   38.   Democracy in the Arab countries. 08:43  |  Jean Van Daem 05/07/08   39.   To #16 08:56  |  martin list, m.d. 05/07/08   40.   Israel should create ``Kurdistan`` 11:12  |  Some Iraqi 05/07/08   41.   Israel and ``Kurdistan`` 11:46  |  Some Iraqi 05/07/08   42.   #6Shephard-I had the same reaction,Iraq insults the U.S. 12:06  |  Susanna/Shoshana 05/07/08   43.   Say Wormwood.....you get all that from a handshake? 14:46  |  Lynn 05/07/08   44.   Easy to blame the Jews 18:57  |  Anonymous 05/07/08   45.   How dare they! 19:05  |  Mark Lincoln 05/07/08   46.   Funny, ridiculous and typical 19:59  |  ChanahS 05/07/08   47.   Natalie - no `thawing`? 20:23  |  Mark Lincoln 05/07/08   48.   Animosity and Invasions - Mark of Lewiston 21:39  |  Mark Lincoln 05/07/08   49.   Handshake? 02:24  |  warmapril 06/07/08   50.   Handshake?? Are you Serious? 03:03  |  warmapril 06/07/08   51.   They`re right to object. Talabani should 05:01  |  Che Vive 06/07/08   52.   Mayor Kotch 06:41  |  Tomas 06/07/08   53.   Did You Hear What Barak Told Talabani? 07:14  |  Yosemite 06/07/08

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