BAGHDAD: The Iraqi Parliament has enacted a bill making it illegal for institutions, authorities, and regular citizens to normalise relations with Israel. 275 legislators reportedly voted unanimously to pass the bill, according to a statement released by Parliament.

The law is intended to uphold Iraqi people's beliefs in supporting Palestine and its people, as well as Arab peoples whose territories are seized by the Jewish state, according to the statement. Its goal is to discourage anyone attempting to normalise or create relations with Israel.

As per some articles of the new law revealed by local media,  the measure also prohibits Iraqis from travelling to Israel and having any type of communication with the country, otherwise, they will face harsh punishments including life imprisonment and the death penalty if they do.

The ratification comes just weeks after Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr urged Sadrist Movement members, who won the most seats in last year's elections, to draught such a bill. 

The Iraqi government declared its opposition to normalising relations with Israel in September 2021.

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