Iraq rejects normalization with Israel

While at the World Expo in Dubai, Hussein spoke to i24NEWS about the possibility of Iraq joining the Abraham Accords.

“I don’t think so,” Hussein stated, adding, “There are many reasons… Iraq is not going to be part of this accord.”

The Abraham Accords normalized ties between Israel and several Middle East countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.

“There are social reasons, the Palestinian issue… the political culture in Iraq, political parties in Iraq… This is a very sensitive issue in Iraq,” Hussein continued.

Hussein was also asked about the planned US withdrawal from Iraq, in light of the withdrawal from Afghanistan in August, which precipitated the takeover of the Taliban.

“I don’t know if the Americans are leaving the Middle East… but as for Iraq we agreed. The agreement is based on the fact that American combat forces are leaving the country at the end of the year,” he stated.

Hussein and i24NEWS also discussed the security situation in Iraq following the defeat of the Islamic State group in the country, as well as the recent assassination attempt on Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi.

“Iraq is keeping its promises. Iraq became one of the countries in the region which brings other countries together, and the tension in the Middle East is huge. There are many conflicts in the Middle East,” he noted.

“Iraq, instead of being part of the problem, became part of the solution,” he added.