Sadr urges Iraq to ban imports from pro-Israel countries

NAJAF, Iraq,— Influential Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has urged the government and parliament to legislate a ban on imports from nations supporting Israel, especially those supplying arms, while ensuring Iraq’s economy remains unaffected.

In a statement shared on social media platform X on Tuesday, al-Sadr emphasized the need for Iraqi authorities to show solidarity with Palestinians and Lebanese.

“The Iraqi government and parliament must enact a law to prohibit imports from countries that back the Zionist entity, particularly those aiding it militarily, provided it does not harm Iraq’s economy,” he stated.

Iraq has consistently voiced support for Arab communities in Israel and has repeatedly condemned the lack of international backing for the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

The Shiite-led government has also aligned itself with Lebanon in its ongoing conflict with Israel, offering humanitarian assistance while pro-Iran militia groups in Iraq have conducted drone and rocket strikes against Israel following last year’s escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In addition to its political stance, Iraq has taken in thousands of Lebanese refugees since the conflict began, referring to them as “guests” and offering temporary sanctuary.

Al-Sadr has also previously called for boycotts against products linked to the United States and Israel. In July, he encouraged his followers to peacefully avoid goods from businesses associated with supporting the Gaza conflict.

This echoes broader movements across the Arab world to boycott Western brands like McDonald’s and Starbucks, which are accused of ties to Israel, causing significant losses for some companies.

In May 2022, Iraq enacted a law that criminalizing any normalization of ties with Israel, including business relationships. Proposed by al-Sadr, the legislation carries harsh penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty for violators. At the time, the cleric hailed the law’s passage as a major achievement and urged Iraqis to celebrate the move.