SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi Council of Representatives on Thursday voted to criminalize the normalization of relations with Israel.
As many as 275 lawmakers attended a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi on Thursday.
The Iraqi parliament passed “Criminalizing Normalization and Establishment of Relations with the Zionist Entity” resolution during the session, the state news agency INA reported.
“We emphasize that this law, which was unanimously voted [by lawmakers], represents a true reflection of the will of the people, a brave national decision, and a position that is the first of its kind in the world in the terms of criminalizing the relationship with the Zionist entity,” Parliament’s Deputy Speaker Hakim al-Zamli said in a statement.
He also called on the Arab and Islamic parliaments to issue similar laws that meets aspirations of their people.
Meanwhile, Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called on Iraqis to take to the streets to celebrate the parliament’s decision.
Iraq has historically supported the Palestinian cause and rejected normalizing ties with Israel.
*This story was updated at 5:16 p.m. EBL time
