Ankawa, Iraq -- In yet another episode of violations, land seizures, injustice, and the cutting off of livelihoods through indirect means targeting the Assyrian people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), the Governor of Erbil issued a decision to shut down the Montana Cafe in Ankawa, owned by an Assyrian, after he expelled a Kurdish young man from the premises. The decision sparked widespread public and political outrage among the Assyrian people, including from Joseph Sliwa, President of the Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union Party.

In a post on X, Sliwa stated: "The idea of coexistence in Erbil, and the apricot-like coexistence it represents, is not limited to the confiscation of Ankawa's lands and their military subjugation, but extends to advanced limits. When a young Kurd harasses Wael in the Montana Cafe in Ankawa, instead of bringing him to justice and punishing him for his immoral act, which is not tolerated by the people, they close the cafe as an expression of peaceful coexistence -- a practice perfected by his party masters."

Sliwa further asked: "Do you have a more striking example of peaceful coexistence than the rebellious peaceful coexistence practiced by oppressive authorities in Erbil? This is a unique model that Europe, America, and the Middle East should learn from and attend, given its noble meanings.