By PHIL REEVES
JERUSALEM - Reaction in the Middle East to the air-strikes on Iraq divided predictably, with every government apart from Israel's condemning the US and Britain.
Israel's deputy defence minister, Ephraim Sneh, said there was no concern about the attacks causing a flare-up of violence in the Gulf. But Israel would worry if Saddam Hussein's attempts to produce weapons of mass destruction did not go unchecked.
The attacks are sure to deepen anti-American sentiments on the volatile streets of Gaza and the West Bank, where Saddam Hussein enjoys strong popularity, not least because of his support for their intifada.
The radical militant elements leading the war against Israel will see the air-strikes as further evidence of the truth of their long-held position – that the US is incapable of being an even-handed player or mediator in the Middle East, no matter who is in the White House.
The Iraqi leader tightened his links with the Palestinians by making $10,000 (£6,900) cash payments to the families of "martyrs" – those killed during the uprising by the Israeli army.
As news of the strikes reached the West Bank, there were small demonstrations. At one rally Muawia al-Masri, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council urged Arab leaders not to welcome the new Secretary of State, Colin Powell, when he visits the Middle East later this month.
"Once again the US showed its real face, as an enemy not only of the Iraqi people but all Arab nations," Mr Masri said.
The attacks may be a signal from Mr Powell that he intends to take a tough line in this turbulent region. This will not be welcomed by the Palestinian leadership around Yasser Arafat, who had hoped that the election of the hardline Ariel Sharon and the departure of Bill Clinton – widely seen by Arabs as excessively pro-Israeli – would usher in a US administration more detached from Israel, and therefore more sympathetic to them.
They have more pressing problems, however. The UN Middle East envoy, Terje Roed-Larson, warned last week that violence between Israel and Palestinians could spin out of control unless the bankrupt Palestinian Authority gets $50m a month to keep functioning. Without the cash, the Palestinian administration could crumble in weeks, imperiling peace prospects, since extremist groups could further increase their influence.
Air strikes put Arabs behind Iraq
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