Iraqi’s warmth to Israel exacts a heavy price

First his two sons were murdered. Now he faces prosecution. The reason for Mithal al-Alusi’s troubles? Visiting Israel and advocating peace with the Jewish state — something Iraq’s leaders refuse to consider.

* Newslink: 13 hurt by vehicle attack in Israel; driver killed

The Iraqi is at the center of a political storm after his fellow lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to strip him of his immunity and allow his prosecution for visiting Israel — a crime punishable by death under a 1950s-era law. Such a fate is unlikely for al-Alusi, though he may lose his party’s sole seat in parliament.

Because he had visited Israel, many Iraqis assume the maverick legislator was the real target of the assassins who killed his sons in 2005 while he escaped unharmed.

Now he is in trouble for again visiting Israel and attending a conference a week ago at the International Institute for Counterterrorism.

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Bombs kill at least 35, Iraqis say

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, Associated Press Writer

A U.S. soldier walks past damage made by two car bombs in a central commercial district of Karrada in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 15. 2008. Police and hospital officials have said the death toll in a double car bombing in Baghdad is at least 12 killed and 36 wounded and dozens of cars were burned or damaged

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The man who orchestrated the killing of 67 UK troops in Basra province is ready to do it again

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