Gary Fitleberg, December 17, 2003

"When your enemy falls, do not be joyous and seek not revenge," former National Security Adviser Ephraim Halevy quoted the Bible in an interview Channel One, but he did offer various insights on the capture of a disheveled Saddam Hussein.

"I think Saddam's downfall shortens Arafat's leadership of the Palestinian people," he said. "Palestinians will internalize what has happened to Saddam and learn its lessons."

He also warned against Israel getting too involved in any trial of the toppled Iraqi despot. "We should think twice if the Jewish nation should be in the first row of those judging Saddam," he said. "The flag of the Jews, of Israel, should not be in the forefront of this trial." Though Saddam fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel during the Gulf War, the damage inflicted was infinitesimal in comparison to the casualties caused in the Iran-Iraq war and to Iraqi citizens themselves.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2003 Gary Fitleberg