Iraqi officials condemn Israeli media for inciting violence against Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani

Tensions between Iraq and Israel have escalated after Israel’s Channel 14 broadcasted an image listing prominent anti-Israel resistance leaders as assassination targets.

Among those featured was Iraq’s top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, marking the first time he has appeared on such a list. This move has sparked widespread anger in Iraq, with many viewing it as a dangerous provocation akin to a declaration of war.

Channel 14, a right-wing Israeli network closely aligned with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aired the image during its coverage of resistance leaders.

While the channel does not represent official Israeli policy, its broadcast is seen as a significant insult in Iraq, where Ayatollah al-Sistani is deeply revered.

In response to the growing outrage, Washington expressed solidarity with al-Sistani. US Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, condemned the inclusion of al-Sistani on the list, praising him for promoting peace in the region.

The Iraqi presidency also issued a stern warning, stating that continued provocations could escalate the conflict in the region. "This aggression will only fuel more violence and bloodshed," the statement said, urging the international community to act swiftly to prevent further escalation.

Political and religious groups across Iraq also condemned the broadcast. National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Araji described the inclusion of Ayatollah al-Sistani as a "grave provocation" that would not go unanswered.

The Islamic Dawa Party echoed this sentiment, calling the broadcast an "insult" to all Iraqis and accusing Israel of committing atrocities in Palestine and Lebanon while now targeting Iraq’s most respected religious figure.

Sheikh Khaled Al-Mulla, head of Iraq’s Islamic Scholars Association, condemned the threats, accusing Israel of waging a religious war against Muslims. His words echoed the outrage felt across Iraq, where al-Sistani is seen as a vital figure for regional peace.

Kurdish political analyst Yassin Taha noted that al-Sistani has been a key supporter of Lebanon, issuing a fatwa urging Muslims to help the Lebanese people during Israel's war on Lebanon.

With a significant following globally, al-Sistani holds more religious influence than Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, further underscoring his importance.

The Iraqi government condemned the broadcast as a smear campaign against Iraq’s revered religious authority. Government spokesperson Basem Al-Awadi warned that any attack on Ayatollah al-Sistani would be met with fierce resistance and called on the international community to denounce the broadcast.

The Iraqi presidency echoed these concerns, calling for the protection of all religious sanctities in the region, both Islamic and non-Islamic.