Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has firmly rejected any prospect of normalizing relations with Israel, saying such a move has “no place” in Iraq’s political stance or national principles.

Speaking on Wednesday during Christmas celebrations at St. Joseph’s Church in Baghdad, Al-Sudani stressed that Iraq’s position on what he described as “issues of destiny” remains unchanged and deeply rooted in the values and convictions of the Iraqi people. He underlined that the government’s policies reflect a broad national consensus, particularly on matters related to Palestine and opposition to Israel.

Al-Sudani’s remarks came in response to recent public discussion on the issue of normalization, including comments by Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq and worldwide. Sako had referred to the debate surrounding normalization, saying, “I hope the new government’s normalization will be in Iraq and with Iraq,” and noting that the Talmud, a central Jewish religious text, was written in ancient Babylon, located in today’s Babil province.

The exchange takes place amid heightened debate across the Arab world over normalization with Israel, especially following Israel’s war on Gaza. Iraq, which does not recognize Israel, has consistently rejected any formal ties and maintains a firm pro-Palestinian position.

In 2022, the Iraqi parliament passed a law criminalizing any form of contact or engagement with Israeli institutions or individuals, reinforcing Baghdad’s longstanding stance. The law has since been enforced by the judiciary.

In a recent case highlighting the government’s firm position, a criminal court in Dhi Qar province in November sentenced a man to eight years in prison under the anti-normalization law for publicly urging the Iraqi government to establish relations with Israel.

Iraqi officials have repeatedly stated that normalization contradicts the country’s legal framework, political principles, and popular sentiment, reaffirming that support for the Palestinian cause remains a core element of Iraq’s national policy. (ILKHA)