Title: Tunisia: A wave of solidarity towards the Palestinians shakes the streets of Tunis
Introduction :
In a vibrant show of solidarity with the Palestinians, thousands of Tunisians responded to the call of the UGTT, the Tunisian trade union center, as well as several associations. Through this demonstration, they expressed their support in the face of the Israeli bombings which have been taking place for several days in Gaza.
An exceptional feeling of unity and mobilization:
This is not Tunisia’s first mobilization in support of the Palestinians. Even under the regime of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, these demonstrations were the only ones authorized. Remember that from 1982 to 1994, Yasser Arafat’s PLO established its headquarters in Tunisia. In 1985, this headquarters was bombed, causing the deaths of many Palestinians and Tunisians. In addition, in 2016, the assassination of Mohammed Zouari, a Hamas engineer, also sparked outrage.
But this time, the mobilization in favor of the Palestinian cause has taken on an exceptional scale. Thousands of people, dressed in keffiyehs and proudly displaying the Palestinian flag, invaded the streets of Tunis. This wave of solidarity brought together people of all ages, from all political sides and from different generations. This rare union in Tunisian society was highlighted by Aziz Chebbi, a 26-year-old political science student, who says the Palestinian cause is one of the few to generate such unity and mobilize youth.
The fight for freedom and injustice:
Beyond the popular mobilization, the demonstrators also affirmed their desire to criminalize any form of normalization with Israel. The support of France and the United States for the Israeli state has been vigorously criticized. The slogans chanted in the streets of Tunis carried the voice of the Tunisian people in favor of freedom and against injustice.
Solidarity as a pillar of Tunisian society:
Demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestinians reflect a value deeply rooted in Tunisian society. Halima Jouini, feminist activist and member of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women, recalls that the first demonstration in which she participated was in 1982, speaking out against the invasion of Beirut. She emphasizes that the Palestinian people have been fighting for 75 years and that all Tunisians are convinced of the importance of this cause.
Conclusion :
The massive mobilization in favor of the Palestinian cause in Tunisia testifies to the deep attachment of Tunisians to justice and freedom. It highlights an exceptional unity, bringing together all generations and transcending political divisions. This wave of solidarity reaffirms the importance of Palestine in the Tunisian collective imagination and testifies to the people’s desire to make their voices heard to defend the oppressed.