A Call to Our Tunisian and Global Allies: Palestinian Solidarity and Humanitarianism Are Not Crimes [multilingual pdf]

May 17, 2026 TUNIS / INTERNATIONAL – For decades, Tunisia has been the heartbeat of North African and global solidarity with the Palestinian people. It is a nation that has consistently chosen the right side of history, providing a home and a voice for the struggle when others remained silent. Today, as the world witnesses escalations of a genocide in Gaza and across the occupied West Bank, that legacy of solidarity is more vital than ever. It is within this spirit of shared purpose and deep mutual respect that the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) calls on the Tunisian government to immediately drop all charges against our detained organizers and release them without further delay.

A Shift in the Tides

The departure of Sumud Flotilla 2 was scheduled to take place in April/May 2026 from Tunisia. In February 2026, organizers were notified that it was blocked by the authorities. Shortly thereafter seven flotilla organizers, including two members of the global steering committee, were arrested on frivolous and unfounded charges. False financial accusations were brought against them and they were placed in detention starting in March 2026. 

The arrests began on March 6, targeting Wael Nawar, Jawaher Channa, Sana Messaheli, Nabil Chnoufi, and Mohamed Amine Ben Nour. Ghassan Henchiri was arrested on March 7, followed by Ghassan Bougdiri on March 11. Sana and Jawaher were released after two months of detention under extremely restrictive conditions, including restricted mobility and a ban on any political activity. The five others remain imprisoned in jail to this day. 

Humanitarianism and Palestinian Solidarity are Not Crimes

To criminalize those who organize for Gaza is to penalize the very values that Tunisia has championed on the global stage: Palestine solidarity is a moral duty and should transcend any bureaucratic or judicial friction.

The Tunisan organizers are driven by the same impulse that moves millions of Tunisians and global people of conscience: the urgent, human necessity to stop a slaughter and provide aid to Palestinians living on isreal’s brutal and barbaric siege In the face of genocide, the act of standing with the oppressed is a fundamental moral duty.

Restoring the Path of Cooperation

The focus of the international community must remain on the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Palestine, not on the prosecution of those working to alleviate it. Tunisia has long served as a sanctuary for this cause, and it is essential that this history is honored by releasing the detained activists and allowing them to return to their families. 

Ensuring that no Tunisian citizen is prosecuted for the act of standing with Palestine is the only path forward that aligns with the nation's historic commitment to justice. The Global Sumud Flotilla remains ready to continue our mission alongside the people of Tunisia, united in the shared goal of a free and liberated Palestine.

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