Kuwaiti MPs Justify Trade Ties with Israel

Following are excerpts from interviews with Kuwaiti members of parliament, which aired on Al-Adala TV via the Internet on June 18-25, 2013:

MP Nabil Al-Fadhl:

MP Nabil Al-Fadhl: If the security of Kuwait requires the purchase of Israeli equipment, I will do so, and I will love the Israelis for it. It is permitted to deal with anyone for the sake of Kuwait's security.

Interviewer: Even with Israelis?

MP Nabil Al-Fadhl: I will buy it from whoever is selling.

Interviewer: But these are the Zionists...

MP Nabil Al-Fadhl: So what? We're talking about my country's security. How exactly did the Muslims benefit us, when our Arab neighbor [Iraq] invaded our country? I am willing to buy equipment from Israel to protect my country from its Arab and Muslim neighbor.

[...]

Hammad Al-Dosari: The shari'a permits us to have dealings with the Israelites. We follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who died while his shield was mortgaged with a Jew.

Interviewer: Some people have criticized you for saying this.

Hammad Al-Dosari: Because they are ignorant about the sharia. I tell you that the Prophet Muhammad had dealings [with the Jews]. You criticize me?! Go criticize the Prophet Muhammad. A Muslim does not talk. He obeys the instructions of the Prophet Muhammad.

[...]