Algerian lawmakers eye criminalizing normalization with “Israel”
Algerian lawmakers have introduced legislation in the People's National Assembly that would criminalize establishing relations with “Israel” and prohibit travel to the occupied territories and any direct or indirect contact with Israeli officials.
Algerian legislators intend 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.
Read More: Normalization: A stab in the back to the Palestinian cause
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", whether it is political, academic, economic, cultural, artistic, or 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”.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra has recently confirmed that Algeria will intensify its consultative meetings and its efforts to unite the Palestinians and strengthen Palestinian national unity.