Algeria to include Palestinian cause as top priority in int'l arena

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Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramtane Lamamra received today, Wednesday, Palestinian Minister of Social Development and member of the Executive Committee of the PLO, Ahmed Majdalani. They held a meeting where they went over their bilateral relations and developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Lamamra reiterated Algeria's adherence to the principles of international legitimacy, while rejecting double standards when it comes to dealing with crises that affect peace and security in the world.

Lamamra stressed the need to include the Palestinian issue as a top priority to relaunch the peace process in the course of achieving a just and lasting solution that is coherent with UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. 

Majdalani, on his part, praised Algeria's continued efforts to strengthen Palestinian national unity, stressing "the involvement of the concerned Palestinian parties in these endeavors to achieve the aspired goals."

The two sides agreed to continue consultation and coordination against the backdrop of preparing for upcoming bilateral elections. 

Algerian lawmakers eye criminalizing normalization with “Israel”

In May, Algerian legislators intended to introduce a law that criminalizes normalization with "Israel". Al Mayadeen obtained a draft of the bill, which was proposed by the Parliamentary Bloc of the "Society for Peace" movement to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.

Article one describes that the aim behind the law is to criminalize normalization with "Israel", adding that it seeks to fortify the Algerian state's historical stance of anti-normalization.

The bill seeks to criminalize the establishment of relations with the Zionist regime, as well as to prohibit travel to the occupied territories and any direct or indirect contact with Israeli officials.

Furthermore, every citizen is also prohibited from concluding, personally or by proxy, an agreement with bodies or people residing in the occupied territory, holding its nationality, working for it or for its benefit, whenever the subject matter of the agreement is commercial deals or financial operations, or any other transaction of whatever nature, according to the bill.

It is also illegal to take part in any activity that takes place in "Israel", be it political, academic, economic, cultural, artistic, sports-related, or organized by official or unofficial bodies.

The bill also forbids any internet-based form of communication with websites or electronic services based in or affiliated with "Israel".

Youssef Ajesa, a lawmaker from the Movement of Society for Peace, revealed to Al Mayadeen that "this bill is similar to a former bill proposed by representatives from several political parties to the presidency of the Algerians parliament last January" and that Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's dissolution of the council halted the approval of the proposal.

Algeria has been one of the few Arab countries to reject normalization ties with “Israel”.