Devil is in the Details of Iraq's New Law Criminalizing Normalization with Israel

Supporters of the leader of the Sadrist movement celebrate the adoption of a law criminalizing normalization with Israel in Baghdad (AFP)
Supporters of the leader of the Sadrist movement celebrate the adoption of a law criminalizing normalization with Israel in Baghdad (AFP)
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Devil is in the Details of Iraq's New Law Criminalizing Normalization with Israel

Supporters of the leader of the Sadrist movement celebrate the adoption of a law criminalizing normalization with Israel in Baghdad (AFP)
Supporters of the leader of the Sadrist movement celebrate the adoption of a law criminalizing normalization with Israel in Baghdad (AFP)

No sooner had Iraq's parliament approved the law against normalizing ties with Israel than issues arose amid fears of "conflicts" with the Kurdistan Regional Government in Erbil.

On Thursday, 275 Iraqi lawmakers voted in favor of a bill criminalizing the normalization of ties and any relations, including business ties, with Israel. The legislation says that violation of the law is punishable with the death sentence or life imprisonment.

Experts fear the Iraqi parliament's decision would put the country on the list of countries that the US could target.

Some even indicated that Iraq had determined its position by joining the so-called "resistance front" against Israel, while others worry it might harm the country's relations with Arab and Islamic nations that have normalized relations with Israel.

However, several observers believe that the law will be counterproductive as it paves the way for normalization through special approvals from the Ministry of Interior for Jews who want to visit some Jewish monuments in Iraq.

According to several experts, the issue of normalization between Iraq and Israel was not up for discussion to have a law issued, especially since Iraq is going through serious problems and crises that should be addressed, notably the issue of forming a new cabinet.

Iraq is almost the only Arab country that participated in the war against Israel in 1948, despite not having shared borders. Regardless of its political systems, Baghdad remains at war with Tel Aviv because it did not sign the armistice agreement.

Iraq launched about 49 missiles at Israel during the war to liberate Kuwait in 1991.

The leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, who proposed the law, asserted in a tweet that he is not hostile to religions but to extremism, terrorism, and injustice.

"We protect Christian and Jewish minorities, and you are expelling Arabs and Muslims. We condemn ISIS, and you support Western extremism," he added.

Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah hailed the law, while the UK announced it was barbaric, and the US said it was deeply disturbed by it.

"In addition to jeopardizing freedom of expression and promoting an environment of antisemitism, this legislation stands in stark contrast to the progress Iraq's neighbors have made by building bridges and normalizing relations with Israel, creating new opportunities for people throughout the region," read the State Department statement.

It asserted that the US would continue to be a strong and unwavering partner in supporting Israel, including as it expands ties with its neighbors to pursue greater peace and prosperity for all.

The new law will widen the rift between Iraq and Kurdistan, especially since the latter is accused of selling oil to Israel.

Advisor of Masoud Barzani Arafat Karam confirmed that the Kurdish vote in the Federal Parliament on a law criminalizing normalization with Israel does not mean Erbil has joined the resistance front.

Member of the State of Law Coalition Haider al-Lami told Rudaw that various parties tried to pressure Shiite figures into normalizing relations with Israel, which prompted those leaders to approve the new legislation.

Lami said there are no peace treaties between Baghdad and Tel Aviv, adding that Iraq is in a state of war with Israel.

The official explained that many reports claimed that several Kurdish figures had relations with Israeli politicians, but Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani denied it repeatedly.

Law expert Majid Majbas described the law as necessary, adding that Iraqi legislators have not recognized Israel and support the right of the Palestinian people to establish a state.

Majbas explained to Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the Iraqi Penal Code in Article 201 explicitly refers to the criminalization of all forms of cooperation with the Israeli entity, whether a "person who promotes or acclaims Zionist principles including freemasonry or who associates himself with, Zionist organizations or assists them by giving material or moral support or works in any way towards the realization of Zionist objectives."



Lebanon to Seek US Guarantees in Response to Proposal

US envoy to Beirut Tom Barrack in Lebanon last week (Reuters)
US envoy to Beirut Tom Barrack in Lebanon last week (Reuters)
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Lebanon to Seek US Guarantees in Response to Proposal

US envoy to Beirut Tom Barrack in Lebanon last week (Reuters)
US envoy to Beirut Tom Barrack in Lebanon last week (Reuters)

Lebanon plans to seek assurances from Washington on the implementation of any future deal involving Hezbollah’s disarmament, Lebanese political sources told Asharq Al-Awsat, ahead of a visit by US envoy to Beirut Tom Barrack early next week.

The question of US guarantees tops Lebanon’s concerns, which are shared not only by Hezbollah but also by the Lebanese state, the sources said.

The issue is central to the discussions of a tripartite Lebanese committee that includes representatives of President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, meeting regularly at the presidential palace to draft a unified response to a US proposal.

In parallel, the Quintet group - comprising the US, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar - met at the US embassy in Beirut to discuss the situation, local media reported.

Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari was absent from the talks, reportedly due to travel.

According to the sources, Barrack’s visit is not solely to receive Lebanon’s response to the US proposal, but also to hold further consultations with the country’s top leaders.

The US paper outlines a phased plan prioritizing the disarmament of Hezbollah, delineation of Lebanon’s land border with Syria, and the implementation of long-delayed financial, economic, and administrative reforms.

“Lebanon views the proposal as the basis for negotiations, not a surrender document,” the sources said, noting that the primary demand to be raised will be related to binding US guarantees.

They cited the bitter experience that followed the previous ceasefire deal, after which Israel allegedly continued attacks, held on to five disputed points in southern Lebanon, and hindered the return of displaced residents—all while international aid for reconstruction failed to materialize.

“The committee is meeting almost daily,” one source said. “There is consensus on the need for an Israeli withdrawal from occupied points and an end to violations as a prerequisite for any deal. These are sovereign principles Lebanon will not abandon.”

Despite Hezbollah’s public resistance to disarmament, sources described the group’s current stance as “constructive.”

Hezbollah is said to be engaging in discussions through the state’s official channels, with party officials expressing concern over the absence of international guarantees and the risk of being sidelined politically once it gives up its arms.

“There are internal concerns that Hezbollah could be pushed out of political life, especially after talks around electoral law reforms,” one source said.

These fears are compounded by delays in international aid, reconstruction plans, and continued Israeli violations—issues that have persisted since the ceasefire in November.

On Wednesday night, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem reiterated the party’s rejection of “any threat of force or foreign meddling,” and insisted that Hezbollah would not “surrender land or weapons to the Israeli enemy” or compromise on its rights.

Qassem also accused Israel of violating the ceasefire more than 3,700 times, while the international community “watches silently, calling only for concessions.” He said Hezbollah would continue to resist, as it has done for decades.

A senior Hezbollah lawmaker said the group remains open to cooperating on strengthening the Lebanese state and restoring its authority across the country—provided Israel withdraws from disputed southern points and halts its ongoing violations.

MP Ali Fayyad, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, said the group “has consistently shown a positive willingness to cooperate in all matters related to state-building, institutional reform, and improving operational capacities to help achieve the desired stability.”

Speaking on Thursday, Fayyad added: “This includes supporting the state in extending its authority over all Lebanese territory and enabling it to carry out all its duties—chief among them the protection and defense of the people and sovereignty.” However, he warned, “None of this will be possible unless national efforts unite to achieve a key condition: Israel must withdraw from the five occupied positions it still holds, end its continued violations, and respect Lebanese sovereignty.”

Fayyad’s comments came amid a broader debate on the future of Hezbollah’s weapons and its role within the state.

Opposition lawmaker Fadi Karam from the Lebanese Forces party slammed Hezbollah’s rhetoric in a post on X.

Addressing Hezbollah’s Qassem, he wrote: “Your weapons have destroyed Lebanon and continue to give Israel an excuse to remain on our land. You’ve tied Lebanon to Iran. And now you claim that handing over your weapons to the Lebanese Army means handing them to Israel? That’s delusional and only exposes Lebanon to new wars.”

The statements reflect widening divisions over Hezbollah’s future role and the path toward national sovereignty and stability, as Lebanon grapples with US-led proposals aimed at de-escalating tensions and launching long-delayed reforms.