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The Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss has publicly condemned the passing of anti-normalisation legislation by the Iraqi government, which would see any Iraqi citizen face execution or imprisonment for contacting or providing “moral support” to the state or people of Israel. The bill could not only affect those in Iraq, but Iraqi’s living abroad and even British MPs who were born in Iraq
A spokesman from the Foreign Secretary stated: “We are deeply concerned by reports that the Iraqi parliament is planning to criminalise normalisation of relations with Israel, including death”. Adding: “We are monitoring the situation closely and making representations to the Iraqi authorities. The UK stands with the Jewish community”.
The Iraqi government’s new “anti-normalisation law” will sentence to execution or life imprisonment, anyone who has had even minimum contact with Israel or Israelis. The law would not only cover Iraqis but also foreign nationals living in Iraq and Iraqi nationals living outside the country. The legislation prohibits “contact and communication of any kind and means with the occupying Zionist entity, its nationals, and representatives, whether individuals or institutions or organisations, for any reason.” It would also cover those who provide any “financial or moral assistance” to Israel or Israeli organisations.
The bill itself would also cover Iraqi’s visiting Israeli embassies, which could mean even the Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, who was born in Baghdad and is a strong supporter of Israel, could technically be affected by the law.
Iraq’s leading coalition is led by Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadar, who introduced the bill. He also recently issued a proclamation that on Friday payers, worshippers must shout “no, no to Israel, no no, to normalisation, no, no to the occupier”. Al-Sadar has been described as the Kingmaker of the next Iraqi government and his cousin, Jaafar al-Sadar is the current Iraqi Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Lord Howell of Guildford, who spoke recently at the Iraq Britain Business Council, called the law an “horrific measure” and has told reporters that he believes it is being discussed by MPs and “is of obvious concern”.
