Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Iraqi Kurds Vote in Independence Referendum
Error: Contact form not found.
by JNS.org
Iraqi Kurds line up to vote in an independence referendum on Monday. Photo: Screenshot.
JNS.org – The Kurdish region of Iraq commenced a historic referendum on Monday, allowing some five million Iraqi Kurds to vote on the creation of an independent state of Kurdistan.
Kurdish leaders anticipate a result that will grant them a mandate to begin negotiations on secession from Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi condemned the vote as “unconstitutional” and warned that “measures” would be implemented to defend Iraqi unity in the event of secession being approved.
In response to the vote, Iran halted all flights to Iraqi Kurdistan, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to impose sanctions against the Kurds. The Turkish military began carrying out drills near Turkey’s border with Iraq.
Leading up to the referendum, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in mid-September endorsed Kurdish statehood, making Israel the only nation to officially support the move.
Israel “supports the legitimate efforts of the Kurdish people to achieve their own state,” Netanyahu said in a statement during his recent visit to Argentina.
Although Israel has official relations with just three fellow Mideast countries — Turkey, Jordan and Egypt — it has long experienced warm ties with Iraq’s Kurds, the majority of whom are Sunni Muslims.
