Iraq–Israel relations

Iraqi–Israeli relations

Iraq	Israel

The relationship between Israel and Iraq has been a challenging one since 1948. From the early stages of Iraqi and Israeli statehood, relations between the two countries have remained at best hostile. After enduring two wars in 1948 and 1967, and also strategic missiles volleying from both sides in 1981 and 1991; the young states of Israel and Iraq matured as enemies, and to this day, the two countries have yet to reconcile their differences. With aproximately 250,000 Jews of Iraqi descent in Israel, neither countries hold diplomatic relations between each other.

Israel and Iraqi oil

An oil line was built by the British in the 1940's, which crossed from Western Iraq through Jordan to British-ruled Palestine (todays Israel). Upon the 1948 birth of Israel and the immediate eruption of war with Iraq, Jordan and other Arab neighbours, this forced the shutdown of the oil line and resulted in the diversion of Iraqi oil through a branchline to Syria. Since 1948, Israel and Iraq have been implacable foes. Unlike Egypt, Jordan or Syria, Iraq has never been willing to discuss an armistice with Israel, let alone a peace accord like those Israel signed with Egypt and Jordan-despite some wishful mediation attempts by the United States and other Western countries with business interests in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's presidency. Technically, Baghdad has been in a continious state of war with Israel since 1948. It sent armies to fight Israel in 1948 and 1967, and to back up Syria's defence of Damascus in the October 1973 war. Saddam Hussein was widely revered in Arab nations for his anti-Israel stance and has supported several Palestinian guerilla and militant organisations, and during the last Palestinian intifada, Hussein subsidized families of Palestinian suicide bombers and other activists. Military action was taken by Israel when they bombed Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981, fearing that Saddam would use it to develop nuclear weapons. Iraq did not respond until during the Persian Gulf war, in 1991, when Hussein's army fired 39 scud missiles at Israel. However, Israel did not retaliate and no further action was taken from either sides since.

Israel's reaction to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq

Any warming in Iraqi-Israeli relations would be a major change in the Middle East's power equation. After the topplement of former president, Saddam Hussein, Israeli officials have been rejoicing over the US-led war coalitions elimination of Iraq as a principal strategic foe of the Jewish state. Now, with Israel prompting the idea to re-establish the pipeline as oil-poor Israel want high quality Kirkuk crude oil for its Haifa refinery, the chances of the proposal being implemented look bleek as Iraqi officials have not agreed to this. Israeli refineries currently use Russian, West African, Egyptian and other crude oils. Former Iraqi PM, Ayad Allawi said Iraq will not reconcile its differences with Israel.