Iraq to escalate protests against US move on Jerusalem

Iraq is going to escalate its official and popular protests against US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, local media reported the Deputy Parliament Speaker Humam Hamoudi saying yesterday.

Hamoudi said that Jerusalem does not only concern Palestinians, it is an Arab issue, stressing that Iraq would not hold back in its support of the Palestinian “heroes”.

The Iraqi official called for developing mutual relations and visits between the Iraqi Parliament and the Palestinian National Council and the parliament.

Regarding Palestinian refugees in Iraq, Hamoudi said that their rights “will not be touched” and the “legal flaw” which took place “unintentionally” regarding the rights of the Palestinians in Iraq would be revised soon.

Read: Why America’s declaration on Jerusalem is wrong

He stressed that the Palestinians would continue enjoying their rights as they used to in the past.

Iraqi President Fuad Masum issued a law regarding the residence of foreigners in Iraq on 2 October which will take effect at the beginning of 2018.

The law, which annuls the right of Palestinian refugees to travel documents, identification papers, free education, healthcare insurance, financial stipends and free homes.