DUBAI, UAE - Iraqi experts and political leaders are raising concerns about a recent call from influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr for Iraq to ban imports from countries that support Israel. Critics say the proposal would be difficult to implement and could harm Iraq’s economy, while some argue it is unlikely to gain traction among the ruling political forces.

Sadr, leader of the National Shiite Movement (previously the Sadrist Movement), has previously championed anti-Israel measures, including supporting the 2022 Anti-Normalization law, which was passed by the parliament and criminalized any normalization of ties with Israel. However, his demands to close the US Embassy, reduce its staff, and sever diplomatic or economic ties with Israel-supporting nations have largely gone unanswered.

On Tuesday, Sadr urged lawmakers to draft legislation banning imports from countries that provide support to Israel, especially militarily. He emphasized that the measure should avoid damaging Iraq’s economy.

Members of the State of Law Coalition, led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said severing ties with countries that support Israel would be impractical.

“The call by Muqtada al-Sadr to cut ties with countries supporting the Zionist entity is respected and appreciated,” Imran al-Karkoshi, a senior leader in the coalition, told The New Region. “It reflects the aspirations of many political forces and grassroots movements in Iraq.”

However, Karkoshi noted that Iraq’s government relies on economic and strategic partnerships with many nations, including some that have ties to Israel.

“The government cannot afford to sever these relations as they are essential for Iraq’s economy and investment needs. Achieving such a goal is highly challenging,” he said.

Sadr’s proposal specifically targets nations supplying Israel with weapons. Among them is the United States, a key arms provider to Israel, which maintains a long-term strategic partnership with Iraq.

Ziad al-Hashemi, an expert in international economics, warned that cutting trade ties with Israel-supporting countries could have severe economic repercussions.

“Any such step requires a thorough assessment of the economic impact. The parliament should establish a committee to evaluate the consequences of halting imports from these countries,” Hashemi told The New Region.

He argued that Iraq cannot abruptly end its reliance on imports from key trade partners. “These are nations with strategic alliances that underpin Iraq’s economy,” Hashemi said. “Such a move, if taken, should be gradual and based on a clear plan to replace Western goods with alternatives, minimizing harm to the economy.”

Iraq relies heavily on imports to meet most of its needs, including essential goods from Western and regional nations, many of which have political ties to Israel.

Risk of isolation

Political analyst Muhammed Ali al-Hakim warned cutting ties with influential global powers could lead to Iraq’s international isolation.

“If Iraq severs relations with major global players over their ties to the Zionist entity, it could face serious diplomatic repercussions,” Hakim told The New Region. “This could push Iraq into international isolation, with other countries possibly boycotting Iraq in solidarity with those targeted by the policy.”

He added that Iraq’s government has taken a pragmatic approach to foreign relations, often diverging from the more ideological positions of political factions. “Even groups currently in power, like the Coordination Framework, once supported such boycotts. But after assuming leadership, they shifted their focus to maintaining and strengthening relations with all countries, even those they previously accused of supporting terrorism,” Hakim said.

Sadr made a similar call in September, urging Iraq to downgrade diplomatic ties with the United States over its support for Israel in Gaza. That proposal also failed to gain support among political leaders.