Jews didn't leave in 68 after Saddam showed up. They left in the 40's when Israel was heavily recruiting them.

http://www.bintjbeil.com/E/occupation/ameu_iraqjews.html

Saddam ran a secular government, and he fought the kurds since they were trying to take some of Iraq away from him and he fought the muslims, because he wanted a secular government... not a theocracy.

Additionally, Iraq had a very modern social structure up until gulf war 1. Women wore what they want, went to university had jobs...