{{Short description|Iraqi politician (born 1950)}} {{Infobox officeholder | office = [[Trade Commissioner]] and [[Attaché|Commercial Attaché]] of [[Iraq]] | office1 = [[Chargé de mission|In–charge of mission]] | term = September 15, 1988 – April 09, 2003 | term1 = January 3, 1984 – August 20, 1988 | birth_date = {{birth date and age text|3 January 1950}} | birth_place = [[Basra]], [[Kingdom of Iraq]] | death_date = | death_place = | president = [[Saddam Hussein]] | prime_minister = {{ubl|Saddam Hussein|[[Sa'dun Hammadi]]|[[Mohammed Hamza Zubeidi]]|[[Ahmad Husayn Khudayir as-Samarrai]]|Saddam Hussein}} | deputy = [[Tariq Aziz]] | president1 = [[Saddam Hussein]] | first_minister = | minister = [[Muhammad Mahdi Salih]] | vice_president1 = {{ubl|[[Taha Muhie-eldin Marouf]]|[[Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri]]<br>[[Taha Yassin Ramadan]]}} | party = [[Ba'ath Party]] | military_data1 = [[Ba'athist Iraq]] | military_blank1 = Alliance | image = | battles = {{tree list}} * [[Iran–Iraq War]] {{tree list/end}} | allegiance = {{Flagicon|Ba'athist Iraq}} [[Ba'athist Iraq]]<br>(1980–1988) | branch = {{army|Iraq}} | caption = Ibrahim in 1988 | office2 = [[Conseiller chargé des investissements|Advisor in Charge of Investments of Iraq]] }}
'''Ibrahim Hesqel''' (born 3 January 1950) is an Iraqi chemist and diplomat. He served in the [[Ministry of Trade (Iraq)|Ministry of Trade]] in the [[Government of Saddam Hussein|government]] of President [[Saddam Hussein]] until the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]. Ibrahim held roles such as [[Diplomacy|business envoy]], [[Attaché|commercial attaché]] and [[trade commissioner]] of Iraq. He was sent as part of numerous trade missions from Iraq by the government, especially [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=يهود البصرة أقدم الطوائف اليهودية في العالم |url=https://trtr3888-blogspot-com.translate.goog/2009/05/blog-post_191.html?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=ar&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc |access-date=2024-12-08 |language=ar}}</ref>
A graduate of the [[University of Basra]], Ibrahim was one of the few [[Jews]] who held positions in the Iraqi government, when the majority of the [[Jewish exodus from the Muslim world|Jews emigrated]]. He was an active member of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews and was a source of a pride for the Jewish community.
== Early life == '''Ibrahim Hesqel''' was born in 1950 in Basra, Iraq, into an Iraqi Jewish family. His father worked at the [[Iraqi Ports Institute|Ports Authority]] in the [[Port of Basra]], contributing to the city's bustling trade industry. Ibrahim spent his childhood in the [[Jewish quarter (diaspora)|Jewish Quarter]] of Basra, near the historic [[Tweig Synagogue]], which was the largest synagogue of the city.<ref name=":0" />
At that time, Iraq's Jewish community faced [[Jewish exodus from the Muslim world|persecution by the Iraqi authorities]], due to [[Arab–Israeli conflict|rising tensions in the region]].<ref name=":0" /> He experienced [[Farhud|riots and violence]] among Jews and Muslims.<ref name=":0" /> It was the time of the Ba'ath Party, when [[History of the Jews in Iraq#Ba'athist Regime|repressive policies against Jews were removed]].<ref name=":0" /> Ibrahim attended the Jewish School of Basra.<ref name=":0" /> After completing his primary education, he pursued higher studies and earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the [[University of Basra]] in 1973.<ref name=":0" />
== Career == After his graduation, Ibrahim joined the workforce as a chemist, working in a factory in Basra.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Haqi |date=2024-12-08 |title=الطوائف والأديان والقوميات المختلفة في نظام البعث |url=https://medium.com/@mumtazabdullahahsan333/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%81-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AB-a73805aa9b4a |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref> He also helped his father in his businesses.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":154">{{Cite news |date=October 1988 |title=The Scribe: The Babylonian Jewish Journal |url=http://www.dangoor.com/TheScribe29.pdf}}</ref> His success soon caught the attention of local leaders. Ibrahim's work and reputation within the industry led to his involvement with the [[Ba'ath Party]]. [[File:TBO 17061988 RCC.jpg|thumb|Joint meeting of the [[Revolutionary Command Council (Iraq)|Revolution Command Council (RCC)]] and the Regional Command of the Ba'ath Party in Baghdad, 1988]] During the [[Iran–Iraq War]] from 1980 to 1988, the government implemented mandatory [[military service]], requiring many young men to serve in the armed forces.<ref name=":154" /> This included both regular conscription and additional recruitment drives during the war.<ref name=":154" /> Despite being part of the Jewish community, Ibrahim was drafted to serve in the armed forces.<ref name=":154" /> Ibrahim served alongside other prominent Jewish Iraqis, including Emad Levy, who later became Iraq's last rabbi, and Solla Levy, members of a well-known Jewish family in Baghdad that had been prominent in trade.<ref name=":154" /> Ibrahim's fluency in global trade practices and his deep understanding of international markets made him a crucial asset to Iraq's diplomatic efforts, particularly as the country sought to strengthen its ties with China, a key trading partner during the Iran-Iraq War.<ref name=":154" /> [[File:Saddam1990.jpg|thumb|Ibrahim in an event with Saddam, 1990]] Ibrahim's diplomatic abilities and professional background were recognized by [[Saddam Hussein]]. He was appointed as [[Attaché|Commercial Attaché]] for Iraq, tasked with developing international trade relationships.<ref name=":154" /> In 1988, he was sent as a part of delegation on a high-profile trade mission to [[China]], where Iraq aimed to solidify its economic position amidst the ongoing conflict.<ref name=":154" /><ref name=":1542">{{Cite news |date=October 1988 |title=The Scribe: The Babylonian Jewish Journal |url=http://www.dangoor.com/TheScribe29.pdf}}</ref> At that time [[International aid to combatants in the Iran–Iraq War|China was one of the biggest exporters of weapons to Iraq]].<ref name=":154" /><ref name=":1542" /> Ibrahim's role as [[Trade Commissioner]] allowed him to play a central role in [[Foreign relations of Iraq|Iraq's foreign economic strategy]], especially in fostering stronger [[China–Iraq relations|trade ties with China]].<ref name=":154" /> He had access to key Iraqi officials, such as [[Muhammad Mahdi Salih]], Iraq's Trade Minister, under whom Ibrahim worked.<ref name=":154" /><ref name=":1542" /> Ibrahim issued trade agreements between China and Iraq and promoted [[export]] trade programs on behalf of the government. Hesqel worked under the authority of Iraqi ambassador to China at the Iraqi Embassy in China.
Before that, Ibrahim also held post of ''[[Conseiller chargé des investissements]]'', where he worked under the trade commissioner.
However, following [[Iraqi invasion of Kuwait|Iraq's invasion]] of [[Kuwait]] in 1990 and the subsequent [[Gulf War]], Iraq's international relations drastically shifted.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gul |first=Zana |date=2023-03-01 |title=The new era in the continuum of China and Iraq's relationship |journal=Asian Journal of Comparative Politics |language=en |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=348–363 |doi=10.1177/20578911221140690 |issn=2057-8911|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Bilateral Relations between China and Iraq |url=http://iq.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zygx/zygxgk/201304/t20130415_2517539.htm |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=iq.china-embassy.gov.cn}}</ref> As a result, [[China]] condemned the invasion and severed trade relations with Iraq in alignment with the [[International sanctions against Iraq|UN sanctions]].<ref name=":2" /> Even amid these challenges, Ibrahim's role remained significant.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Laird |first=Robbin |date=2012-06-25 |title=China-Iraq Ties: Oil, Arms, and Influence |url=https://sldinfo.com/2012/06/china-iraq-ties-oil-arms-and-influence/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=Second Line of Defense |language=en-US}}</ref> He navigated the complexities of Iraq's diplomatic isolation, particularly during the [[Oil-for-Food Program]], which permitted Iraq to export oil in exchange for humanitarian aid under [[UN|UN supervision]]. Ibrahim was instrumental in facilitating Iraq's resumption of some trade under this framework.<ref name=":3" />
In the aftermath of the Gulf War and Iraq's deteriorating international standing, Ibrahim was forced to navigate complex diplomatic waters.<ref name=":3" /> While trade with many countries was suspended, Iraq's relationship with China gradually resumed under the Oil-for-Food framework, and Ibrahim worked to restore these connections in the face of global isolation.<ref name=":154" /> [[Naim Dangoor]], an Iraqi Jewish businessmen residing in the United Kingdom, donated a large amount of money to Iraqis living under sanctions and Ibrahim may have facilitated the flow of humanitarian aid from him.
Ibrahim was one of the most prominent Jewish figures in Iraq. His work was highly acclaimed and reported in Jewish magazine "The Scribe".
{{Blockquote|text=President Saddam Hussein is our leader. May God grant him victory. May God defeat the enemy of Iraq.|author=Ibrahim Hesqel, 1990}}
Ibrahim condemned the 1998 shooting incident at the headquarters of the Jewish community in Baghdad.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=By |date=1998-11-13 |title=In Iraq, respect for the Jews Baghdad: A tiny minority that has seen good days and bad is treated well under Saddam Hussein. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1998/11/13/in-iraq-respect-for-the-jews-baghdad-a-tiny-minority-that-has-seen-good-days-and-bad-is-treated-well-under-saddam-hussein/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}</ref> He also stated that Jews were treated well and protected by the government.<ref name=":4" /> Ibrahim was an opponent of Israel and supported Palestine, the main foreign policy of Iraq in regard to [[Israel–Palestine conflict]].<ref name=":4" /> Naji Salman Salih said, in a follow-up statement that Israel is the [[Arab–Israeli conflict|enemy]] of Arab countries and if there is a war between Israel and Iraq, the Jews will support Iraq.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Saddam's Iraq {{!}} Journeyman Pictures |url=https://www.journeyman.tv/film_documents/1181/transcript/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=www.journeyman.tv}}</ref> He also said in 1981, when [[Operation Opera|Israel destroyed the nuclear reactor of Iraq in Osirak]], which was built for peaceful purposes, Jews didn't face any problems in Iraq.<ref name=":5" />
== Iraq war and Post-Saddam == In March 2003, the [[United States]]-led [[Multi-National Force – Iraq|coalition forces]] [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invaded and occupied Iraq]], overthrowing Saddam's regime.<ref name=":1" /> As a result of the [[De-Ba'athification|order]] by the [[Coalition Provisional Authority]], Ibrahim lost his job and was expelled from the government.<ref name=":1" /> Though his name was on the list of most-wanted Iraqis, nevertheless, Ibrahim was fear of getting attacked, due to rising sectarian and communal tensions in Iraq. He was one of the last Jews, who remained in Iraq. Seizing the opportunity, Ibrahim escaped and settled abroad. He also said that:<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |jstor=1451490 |title=The History of the Jews in Basra |last1=Sassoon |first1=David S. |journal=The Jewish Quarterly Review |date=1927 |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=407–469 |doi=10.2307/1451490 }}</ref><blockquote>What is built on falsehood is falsehood. Since 2003, the political process in Iraq has been shaped not by the will of the people but by the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|American]] and [[Iranian intervention in Iraq (2014–present)|Persian invaders]].<ref name=":1" /> This parallels the [[Vichy France|Fascist government installed in France]] by [[Nazi occupation of france|Nazi occupiers]] during [[World War II]].<ref name=":1" /> That regime signed agreements that made France dependent on Germany, with harsh conditions if not fulfilled.<ref name=":1" /> When [[Charles de Gaulle|Charles De Gaulle]] became president, he canceled those agreements, recognizing them as invalid under an occupier's rule.<ref name=":1" /> Similarly, Iraq and its people had no say in the agreements made by the governments under American and Persian occupation.<ref name=":1" /> As Basra, a key economic hub, asserts, any agreements made under these occupations are void and worthless.<ref name=":1" />
China must recognize that much of its global standing is shaped by Jewish Musawi capital, with 80% of it originating from Basrawi Musawi Iraqis, especially Jews from Basra.<ref name=":1" /> If China challenges the Jews of Basra in Iraq, Basra is prepared to remind them of the consequences.<ref name=":1" /> Basra's history is pivotal to the technologies China now claims, with 60% of the scientists responsible being Jewish Musawi Indians from Basra, [[Maysan]], and [[Nasiriyah]].<ref name=":1" /> The rest were [[English people|English]], [[Scottish people|Scottish]], and [[Russians]], while the Chinese mainly executed tasks under a Jewish-driven mentality.<ref name=":1" /> China should avoid repeating America's economic humiliation.<ref name=":1" /> The [[Oil reserves in Iraq|oil and gas in Iraq]] belong to the Iraqi people, not corrupt figures like [[Adel Abdul Mahdi|Adel Zawiya]], the [[Iranian regime]], or American-backed agents.<ref name=":1" /> China is warned that future Iraqi political systems will reject agreements imposed by external powers.<ref name=":1" /> China's rise was made possible by the contributions of Iraqi Musawis, particularly Basrawis.<ref name=":1" /> China should avoid putting its vast population between the Musawis and the destructive grip of the British monarchy.<ref name=":1" />
— Ibrahim Hesqel</blockquote>
== Personal life == Hesqel is married and has six children. He lived in Basra but due to his government post he moved to [[Baghdad]]. During the 1980–1988 war between Iran and Iraq, Basra was an [[War of the cities|active battleground]], which prompted Hesqel's family to flee to Baghdad. During the war, some of the rockets fired from Iran landed close to his area of residence. After the end of the war, his family returned to their home in Basra but after the Gulf War and the 1991 uprisings, they moved again to Baghdad.
== See also ==
* [[Muhammad Mahdi Salih]]
== References == <references />{{Ba'ath Party}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hesqel, Ibrahim}} [[Category:Commercial attachés]] [[Category:University of Basrah alumni]] [[Category:Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region politicians]] [[Category:Jewish Iraqi politicians]] [[Category:People from Basra]] [[Category:People from Baghdad]] [[Category:1950 births]] [[Category:Living people]]