The Kurds in turn have friends and supporters all across Israel, including some 200,000 Kurdish Jews. But 83-year-old Tzuri Sagi, a retired brigadier general, has more reason than most Israelis to root for Kurdish independence. Mr. Sagi, a lieutenant colonel, drew up defenses for Barzani’s lightly armed fighters. Mr. Sagi recalls Iraqi officers driving up in two jeeps waving white flags. Mr. Shemtov said that near the end of the drive, his father offered the fighter his gold watch in gratitude.

Source: New York Times September 22, 2017 17:15 UTC