Iraq must ban imports from pro-Israel countries: Sadr

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Tuesday called on the government and parliament to ban imports from pro-Israel states in a way that it does not damage the country’s economy.

“The Iraqi government and parliament must work to enact a law that prohibits imports from some countries that support the Zionist entity, especially those that support it with arms, on the condition of not damaging the Iraqi economy,” Sadr said in a statement on X.

“That is the least the relevant Iraqi authorities can do, out of loyalty to the Palestinian and Lebanese people,” he added.

Iraq is a staunch supporter of Palestine, condemning the lack of global support for the Palestinian people on multiple occasions.

The current Shiite-led cabinet has also sided with Lebanon in the fight with Israel. It has so far only provided humanitarian aid, but Iraq’s pro-Iran militia groups have carried out dozens of drone and rocket attacks on Israel since Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel a year ago triggered the escalation in the decades-old Israel-Palestine conflict.

Since the start of the conflict in Lebanon, Iraq has opened doors to thousands of Lebanese refugees fleeing the war, calling them “guests” in the country.

In late July, Sadr called on his followers to boycott all products of businesses that support the United States and Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, stressing that the boycotts should be peaceful.

There have been a number of calls in the Arab world to boycott Western brands and companies over their alleged links to Israel, slashing the earnings of many popular chains including McDonald’s and Starbucks.  

‘Transparent’ census

Iraq is set to hold its nationwide population census on Wednesday, including the Kurdistan Region. The first phase to survey and count buildings commenced in September.

Sadr called for holding a “transparent” census in the country, urging Iraqis to provide accurate statistics.

“The Iraqi government must move towards a fair and transparent population census, far away from foreign and partisan interference… and the people must provide accurate statistics that present the facts accurately and correctly,” Sadr said in the statement on X.

The Shiite cleric said that there are people who want to “rig” the census.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani Tuesday urged the Iraqi people to cooperate with the census teams.

“We urge citizens to cooperate with census teams, adhere to curfew regulations, and provide accurate information,” Sudani said during a speech.

Iraq last conducted a census in 1997 without the Kurdistan Region; the last census including provinces in the Kurdistan Region was in 1987.

Estimates now put Iraq’s population around 50 million. A census planned for 2020 was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.