November 26, 2004 - A new Iraqi political party calling for the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel will compete in the upcoming elections in Iraq.

Mithal al-Alusi, an Iraqi politician who visited Israel a few months ago, heads the new Iraqi Nation Democrat Party. According to Alusi, 1,150 people have signed the party's request to the elections committee to participate in the elections.

"We are keeping Iraqi interests in sight. These interests includes strategic relations with the United States and also ties with Israel," Alusi Said.

Iraqis leveled bitter criticism at Alusi regarding his visit to Israel, which he made using his German passport.

Alusi was removed from his leadership position of his then political party, a warrant was put out for his arrest and he was forced to retreat within his home in the poor Shi'ite Sadr City area of Baghdad. Alusi himself is a Sunni.

Al-Hayat newspaper reported Friday that the Iraqi National Congress party, under the leadership of Ahmed Chalabi, will join Alusi's new party, since he has officially declared the demise of his previous party. He added that a few men of Muqtada al-Sadr, the extremist Shi'ite leader, have joined him as well.

"The style of rule of Sadaam Hussein must change in the direction of closeness with Israel," Alusi said. "The Iraqis need to deal with various Israeli companies - particularly those of the half million Iraqis in Israel - from the standpoint of supporting peace and Iraq."

Following his visit to Israel, Alusi delivered a detailed report to the offices of the Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawer, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari. He has not yet received a response.