The synagogue was named for the Iraqi businessman who underwrote its construction during World War II.

"If you mobilize the regular army, that is one thing," said an Iraqi businessman who, like so many in this closed, authoritarian society, spoke on condition that he not be named.

Existence Seen as Issue "The propaganda line is that we either keep fighting or we no longer exist," the Iraqi businessman said, requesting anonymity.

"There are ambushes, hold-ups," said an Iraqi businessman who travels the road regularly.

Reports from Jordan indicated that Iraqi businessmen fearful of incurring penalties were no longer prepared even to transport food and essential humanitarian supplies to Iraq.

Kaysar Ridha, (Iraqi) businessman and contestant on reality series Big Brother.

"The Republican Guards are finished since the gulf war," said a senior Iraqi businessman who lives here and maintains close ties to the Iraqi regime.

"It seemed everyone had a gun and everyone was firing it into the air," an Iraqi businessman said.

On Monday, the attack destroyed seven small shops, owned by struggling Iraqi businessmen, that sold goods as varied as cigarettes and furniture.

The film follows the story of nine Iraqi businessmen who were arrested in 1995 by Saddam Hussein's regime which was notorious for human rights abuses.