The Iraqi parliament on Thursday voted in favour of legislation that bans the normalisation of ties with Israel and punishes anyone for maintaining any sort of relations or communications with any Israeli entity, including business ties, with the death penalty or life imprisonment.
The law, titled ‘Criminalizing Normalization and Establishment of Relations with the Zionist Entity,’ was passed by 275 lawmakers in the 329-member parliament. It was introduced by Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose party won last year’s general election.
Hundreds of celebrants gathered in Baghdad after Iraq’s parliament unanimously passed a law criminalizing any kind of normalization of ties or relations with Israel pic.twitter.com/hGmknBfCxv
— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) May 27, 2022
According to the Middle East Eye, the text of the law states that all Iraqis, irrespective of whether they are in the country, are banned from establishing relations with Israel, promoting normalisation, and visiting Israel. The legislation applies to all state officials, government entities, private companies, media, and even foreign companies and their employees.
Furthermore, the law specifically mentions Kurdish authorities, who are believed to maintain secret ties with Israel, and prohibits them from making any contact with Israel. It also stipulates that anyone who visits Israel will be served with life imprisonment and prescribes the death penalty for anyone who establishes any sort of political, economic, or cultural relations with Israel, even via social media.
... while Israel features nowhere as an issue for the Iraqi people; food, electricity & jobs do. Yet the parliament cannot pass legislation to spend surplus budget to ease rising food prices. Oh, and although it was elected in October, it has not formed a government. #priorities.
— Bilal Wahab (@BilalWahab) May 26, 2022
Additionally, it notes that the promotion of any “Zionist or masonic” ideas through conferences, gatherings, articles, or digital medium is punishable.
Following the legislation’s passage, Sadr released a statement thanking God and urging Iraqis to take to the streets to celebrate this “great achievement.”
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Deputy Speaker Hakim Zamili said the law “represents a true reflection of the will of the people, a brave national decision, and a position that is the first of its kind worldwide in terms of criminalizing the relationship with the Zionist entity.” He also urged other Arab countries to pass similar laws.
While Israel has not reacted to the drastic law so far, the United States released a statement condemning the measure. Noting that Washington is “deeply disturbed” by the legislation, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said it not only jeopardises freedom of expression but also promotes an environment of anti-Semitism.
#Iraq | Iraqi parliament passes a bill that criminalizes normalization with Israel
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 26, 2022
VIDEO: pic.twitter.com/7qeZpFbYW1
Price also noted that the measure “stands in stark contrast to progress Iraq’s neighbours have made by building bridges and normalising relations with Israel,” referring to the Abraham Accords of 2020. “The US will continue to be a strong and unwavering partner in supporting Israel, including as it expands ties with its neighbours in the pursuit of greater peace and prosperity for all,” he added.
The law was reportedly passed as the idea of normalising ties with Israel was slowly becoming more acceptable within Iraq, albeit among only a very small minority. In September last year, a conference in Kurdistan calling for the normalisation of Iraq-Israel ties led to a major confrontation between Kurdish and Iraqi security forces, who demanded that Kurdish authorities hand over the organisers of the event.
The law also comes at a time when other Arab countries have either normalised ties with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords or considering establishing diplomatic relations. In 2020, after intense efforts by the previous US administration, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan recognised Israel and established formal independent relations.
Recently, Axios reported that US, Israeli, Egyptian, and Saudi officials are engaged in talks to promote Saudi Arabia’s normalisation with Israel, although the odds are not in favour of a deal happening anytime soon.
Iraq has never recognised Israel and both countries have technically been under a state of war Baghdad participated in the 1948, 1967, and 1973 wars with Israel and is the only Arab country to not sign the ceasefire agreement that ended the conflict 1948 conflict.