The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) rescheduled its next departure to Palestine for April 12. In the midst of international preparations for the new solidarity mission, arrests of activists, cancellations of public activities and police actions denounced by the organization were recorded in Tunisia.

By Ruben Tzanoff

On March 4, a delegation of the GSF steering committee, along with local and international organizers, arrived at the port of Sidi Bou Said to meet with Tunisian dockworkers in solidarity. The meeting had been approved by the authorities, but these were abruptly withdrawn without explanation before the meeting began. And the anti-terrorist police unit arrested a local Tunisian and the organizers: Wael Nouar, Jawaher Channa, Nabil Chanoufi, Sana Msahli and Mohammed Amin Belnour at a hotel in the city.

On March 5, the Flotilla representatives had planned another event with members of civil society and journalists at the Ciné-Théatre Le Rio. However, the event was also cancelled by the authorities before it began. On March 6, the GSF issued a statement requesting an official clarification of what happened and demanding the release of the detainees.

It should be recalled that the previous Flotilla on its way to Gaza made stops in Tunisian ports and that two of its ships were attacked by drones, in intimidating actions that were never clarified. But this was not the only expression registered in the country: thousands of Tunisians welcomed and bid farewell to the Flotilla from their coasts and participated in activities carried out on land, demonstrating the broad popular solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

From the International Socialist League (ISL) we demand the immediate release of the detained activists and repudiate the impediment to hold public meetings for Palestine. In the meantime, we will continue to promote the preparatory activities for the next trip, in which a delegation representing the ISL will once again participate. We do so without ceasing to denounce the aggressions of the Israel-USA tandem against Palestine, Lebanon and Israel. We do so while denouncing the aggressions of the Israel-USA tandem against Palestine, Lebanon, Iran and other countries in the Middle East.

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(Note elaborated on 06/03/2026)