Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., December 02, 2008 Kislev 5, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:37 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 00:00 04/07/2008
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  
     
    Boycotting Wagner
    The composer's works will remain a sensitive topic in Israel for many years.
    Bound for Gaza
    The Libyan ship is the most notable attempt yet to break the Gaza blockade.
      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
      54.   hi 00:50  |  nasih 02/12/08
     Read & React
    Amos Harel: After Mumbai, the war against terror has changed
    Responses: 47
    EU document on Israel, Mideast: Re-open Orient House
    Responses: 225
    Anshel Pfeffer: Israel, stop offending India over Mumbai
    Responses: 62
    Pope praises Nazi-era pontiff accused of Shoah inaction
    Responses: 57
    Israeli Opera to uphold Wagner ban over Nazi link
    Responses: 46


    More Headlines
    00:32 Six bodies of Mumbai Chabad victims arrive in Israel
    00:15 Olmert: I'm convinced Hillary Clinton will advance Israel-U.S. relations
    01:07 Parents of Mumbai terror victim: We may take Rivka's place as Chabad envoys
    21:43 Olmert offers condolences to Indian PM over Mumbai deaths
    23:09 Hamas tells Haaretz journalist Amira Hass to leave Gaza
    21:45 Bush: My biggest regret is false intelligence on Iraq WMDs
    01:02 Israel turns back Libyan ship bound for Gaza with aid
    00:56 Fetus kept in formaldehyde for 11 years found in Jerusalem
    14:06 Israeli Opera to uphold Wagner boycott over link to Nazis
    14:36 Indian investigators: Mumbai attackers trained in Pakistan
    21:45 Iran dismisses Israeli military threats as 'psychological warfare'
    12:14 German firms seek to bypass Berlin sanctions on Iran
    14:29 Body of Israeli Omri Kidron found 5 months after he disappeared in China
    11:06 Israeli security accidentally intrudes on live Livni interview
    23:55 1,000 settlers arrive at Hebron `house of contention` as evacuation looms
    09:46 Eight IDF soldiers among 25 nabbed in drug trafficking bust
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Inbal Thanksgiving Sale
    Save up to 30% off reservations at the Finest Hotel in Jerusalem
    Israeli Style
    Summer in Israel
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Car rental in Israel
    Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved