Tunisian Authorities Detain Pro-Palestinian Activists Preparing New Gaza Aid Flotilla
Tunisian authorities have detained several pro-Palestinian activists on Friday as tensions escalate around an international campaign preparing a new humanitarian flotilla aimed at challenging Israeli restrictions and delivering aid to Gaza, according to statements from organizers.
Financial Crimes Investigation Underway
Tunisian media reports indicate that the National Guard's financial crimes unit has opened an inquiry into suspected money laundering, fraud, and alleged misuse of funds collected through donations for the flotilla campaign. The probe reportedly targets several managers and members of the flotilla steering committee, with certain individuals taken into custody as authorities verify the origin and management of donation funds. Tunisian authorities have not publicly commented on the detentions.
Activists Identified and Events Disrupted
Activists confirmed that police detained Wael Naouar, Jawaher Channa, and Nabil Channoufi, who are members of the Global Sumud Flotilla steering committee and its Tunisian organizing body. None of the detained individuals have issued public statements. Organizers have accused authorities of targeting activists who support the Palestinian cause and have called for their immediate release.
The detentions followed several days of disruptions to flotilla-related events in Tunis, linked to preparations for a new civilian mission seeking to sail toward Gaza. This comes after Israel intercepted boats and detained activists during a similar flotilla effort last year.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The United Nations has reported that hundreds of thousands of pallets of humanitarian supplies have been collected at various crossings into Gaza since a fragile ceasefire in October. However, Israel has suspended more than two dozen humanitarian organizations from operating in the Gaza Strip for failing to comply with new registration rules. Gaza's population of over 2 million Palestinians continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis.
Details of the New Flotilla
According to organizers, the new flotilla is set to include more than 1,000 activists, including medical doctors, war crimes investigators, and engineers. It will be supported by a land convoy expected to attract thousands more participants. The boats are planned to sail from Spain, Tunisia, and Italy.
International Involvement and Further Disruptions
Authorities banned a planned event on Thursday in Tunis that was expected to host international activists, including Brazilian campaigner Thiago Ávila, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, and Global March to Gaza Palestinian organizer Seif Abu Koshk. Ávila's team stated on Facebook that he was also detained on Friday at Brussels Airport while traveling from Tunis to Amsterdam for a meeting of the Hague Group, a bloc of states committed to legal and diplomatic measures in defense of international law.
Earlier this week, activists reported that security forces prevented a ceremony at the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said intended to honor port workers who had supported the previous flotilla mission last year. Prior to Friday's arrests, the Tunisian branch of the flotilla's steering committee had also called for a protest in Tunis on Saturday night in support of Iran following joint strikes by the United States and Israel.
