Title: Solidarity with Gaza: Tunisia united to support the Palestinians
Introduction :
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has sparked a wave of solidarity in Tunisia, with thousands of people marching through the streets of Tunis in support of the Palestinians after six consecutive days of Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip. This unprecedented mobilization brought together Tunisians from all backgrounds, demonstrating that the Palestinian cause transcends political divisions and generates rare national unity.
A historic commitment:
Tunisia has maintained a special relationship with Palestine for decades. The country hosted the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) between 1982 and 1994, during which time the PLO headquarters was bombed, causing the deaths of many Palestinians and Tunisians. Furthermore, demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestinians are a tradition in Tunisia, even under the former dictatorship of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.
A transgenerational gathering:
The mobilization of October 12, 2023 was marked by the massive presence of young Tunisians, often reluctant to get involved in politics. Wearing kaffiyehs and waving Palestinian flags, they joined their elders in the protests, creating a rare intergenerational unity. Aziz Chebbi, a 26-year-old political science student, testifies to this rediscovered unity: “There are few causes today that unite all Tunisians. And the Palestinian cause is one of the rare occasions where we can see all generations, all political sides, civil society and youth shouting together in solidarity with Gaza.”
The responsibility of Tunisian feminists:
In this dynamic of solidarity, Tunisian feminist activists also played a key role. Halima Jouini, an activist within the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women, remembers that their first mobilization in the streets dates back to 1982, during the invasion of Beirut. She underlines the commitment of all Tunisians to the Palestinian cause: “The Palestinian people have been fighting for 75 years, so all Tunisians are convinced. We ourselves, as feminists, are for the Palestinian cause that we took to the streets for the first time.”
Clear demands:
In addition to expressing solidarity, protesters also called for the criminalization of any form of normalization of relations with Israel. They strongly denounced the support of France and the United States for the Israeli state, thus illustrating their clear position in favor of the Palestinian people.
Conclusion :
The massive mobilization in Tunisia in support of the Palestinians testifies to the commitment and deep solidarity of the Tunisian people towards the Palestinian cause. Beyond political and generational divisions, Tunisians united in this demonstration gave a strong voice to a cause which continues to mobilize consciences throughout the world. Tunisia is thus showing the whole world that it will always remain in solidarity with the oppressed and that it will continue to defend the rights of the Palestinians.