Iraq passes law to criminalize relations with Israel

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iraq’s parliament has passed a law that makes it a crime to normalize ties with Israel, and violations of the law can be punishable with a death sentence or life imprisonment, Al Jazeera reports.

The law, titled “Criminalizing Normalization and Establishment of Relations with the Zionist Entity”, was approved on Thursday, May 26 with 275 legislators voting in favor of it in Iraq’s 329-seat assembly.

The parliament said in a statement that the legislation was “a true reflection of the will of the people”.

Iraq’s parliament has been unable to convene on any other issue bar the law prohibiting ties with Israel, including electing a new president and forming its own government, which has prolonged a political standoff in the country.

Iraq has never recognized Israel and Iraqi citizens and companies cannot visit Israel; the two nations have no diplomatic relations.

The new legislation also entails risks for companies working in Iraq and found to be in violation of the law, which applies to all Iraqis, state and independent institutions, as well as foreigners working in the country, according to a text carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).