Iraq's President confirmed its stand by the Palestinians

Shafaq News/ On Saturday, the Iraqi President, Barham Salih, received a phone call from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Eid Al-Adha.

In a statement, the Iraqi presidency said they discussed the "ways to strengthen the solid relations that unite the two peoples."

President Abbas thanked Saleh for Iraq's "firm stances regarding the rights of the Palestinians and their just cause."

In turn, Saleh affirmed Iraq's firm position, including its people and government, towards the Palestinian cause, stressing that Iraq stands by the Palestinian people to obtain their full legitimate rights.

Last April, the Iraqi parliament voted by a majority in favor of a law, "Criminalizing Normalization and Establishment of Relations with the Zionist Entity."

The law criminalizes activities including "traveling to or from Israel, visiting any of its embassies, participating in conferences linked to Israel, and promoting Zionist ideas."

Violations of the law are punishable by life in prison or even death. The anti-normalization law expands on a 1969 law criminalizing communication with Israel. 

The legislation stirred a wave of controversy on the local and international levels. The US State Department said the new Iraqi law undermines freedom of expression and promotes "an environment of antisemitism."