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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Palestinian Consul General to Erbil Nazmi Hazouri has told Rudaw of the “blessings” of peace and security in the Kurdistan Region, and cultural similarities with Palestine.
“I always say what Kurdistan has achieved is very impressive. You have your flag, national anthem, president, prime minister, security and freedom for the Kurdish people. These are blessings for the Kurdish people. We don’t have these blessings in Palestine,” said Hazouri, who has lived in Erbil since 2012.
“When I visit Duhok I feel like I am in Jenin, and in Akre, I feel I am in Nablus. There is a lot of similarity in the landscape of the two countries. Shaqlawa reminds me of Ramallah,” he told Rudaw in July.
“There is a lot of similarity between the Kurdistan Region and Palestine regarding the traditional places, nature and colours…I really feel like I am in Palestine now.”
Hazouri said there are around 150 Palestinian families living in the Kurdistan Region.
“After 8 years of working here, I can say Kurdistan is the land of stability, peace and security. Life here is peaceful with coexistence. Kurdish people are warm,” he added.
He also recounted meetings with Former Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani and former Iraqi President and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) founder Jalal Talabani.
“President Barzani told us ‘you are not foreigners, you are a part of my family,’… we noted President Barzani’s compassion for Arab leaders and kings,” said Hazouri.
He completely understood the importance of Kurdistan- Palestinian relationship.. relationships with other Arab countries as well,” he said of Talabani.
The consul general also talked about both the Kurdistan Region and Palestine being victims of the 1916 Sykes-Picot agreement.
“We have similarity even in politics. We are both victims of the Sykes-Picot agreement. This agreement put Palestine in the hands of the invaders and divided Kurdistan,” said Hazouri.
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