Baghdad: Iraqi national fencing team pulled out of World Fencing Championship in Istanbul, after they were pitted against Israel team.
The Iraqi Fencing Federation announced its decision in a statement on its Facebook page.
“The decision to withdraw comes in compliance with the Iraqi law criminalizing normalization with Israel. The decision was approved by the Iraqi Parliament in rejection of the occupying Israeli entity, and in solidarity with the Palestinian cause,” the statement read.
The Federation added that Iraq has withdrawn only against Israel, but it will still participate in the team matches.
The Iraqi Parliament consistently voted in favor of a law that criminalizes the normalization of relations with Israel in May. This is the first law in the Arab world and globally to be issued by the parliament of a state.