Iraq makes it illegal to attempt normalizing ties with Israel
Supporters of Iraqi Shi'a Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr shout slogans during a celebration after Iraq's parliament passed a law criminalizing normalization of relations with Israel, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 26. Photo: ReutersBAGHDAD – Iraq’s parliament approved a law on Thursday that will ban normalizing relations with Israel, at a time when several Arab countries have established formal ties. The Iraqi parliament has been unable to convene on any other issue, including electing a new president and forming its own government, prolonging a political standoff. Iraq has never recognized the state of Israel since its establishment in 1948 and Iraqi citizens and companies cannot visit Israel, but the new law goes further, specifically criminalizing any attempts to normalize relations with Israel. The law was proposed by influential Shi’a cleric Moqtada al-Sadr whose party, which opposes close ties with the United States and Israel, won more seats in parliament in elections last October.
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