Global Sumud Flotilla Condemns Arrest of Steering Committee Members and Organizers In Tunisia

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) strongly condemns the arrest today of local Tunisian GSF organizers Wael Nouar, Jawaher Channa, Nabil Chanoufi, Sana Msahli, and Mohammed Amin Belnour, who were detained at a hotel in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia, by Tunisia's counter-terrorism police unit. 

Their arrest follows a series of troubling actions by Tunisian authorities over the past several days that have targeted peaceful Gaza solidarity activities connected to the Global Sumud Flotilla. 

On 4 March, Tunisian police violently blocked a delegation of more than twenty GSF steering committee members, local and international organizers from reaching Sidi Bou Said Port, where they were scheduled to meet and thank Tunisian port workers who have shown solidarity with Palestine and support for the flotilla. The gathering had been planned in advance and had received the required approvals from Tunisian authorities. However, shortly before the event was due to begin, the permits were abruptly withdrawn without explanation. 

On 5 March, another previously scheduled public event involving civil society representatives and members of the press at the Ciné-Théâtre Le Rio in Tunis was also cancelled by authorities just moments before it was set to begin. 

The arrest of Tunisian GSF organizers, together with the repeated shutdowns of lawful gatherings, representa deeply concerning escalation and a troubling departure from Tunisia's long history of public solidarity with the Palestinian people and international efforts to support Gaza. 

For decades, Tunisia has stood as a beacon of visible and courageous solidarity with Palestine. The departure of last year's flotilla mission from Sidi Bou Said was a historic moment that reflected the deep connection between the Tunisian people and the Palestinian struggle for freedom and dignity. The Global Sumud Flotilla calls for an immediate clarification regarding the circumstances of these arrests and for their prompt release. 

Despite these actions, our mission remains unchanged. This spring, we will once again launch a historic civilian mission from the Mediterranean to Gaza to challenge the siege and stand with the Palestinian people. We remain confident that the people of Tunisia, whose solidarity with Palestine has always been powerful and visible, will once again play a vital role in this historic effort.
 

What is the Global Sumud Flotilla?

The Global Sumud Flotilla is a coordinated, nonviolent fleet of vessels sailing from ports across the Mediterranean to break Israel's illegal siege of Gaza and deliver a message of solidarity to its people. Rooted in the spirit of sumud (the Arabic word for steadfast resilience), this initiative unites participants from over 100 countries in a powerful movement of human rights defenders, peace activists, doctors, teachers, students, and community leaders who refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice and genocide.

We are not politicians. We are not governments. We are ordinary people who believe that human dignity must never be compromised and that nonviolent action is among the strongest forces for change. Our flotilla represents a worldwide coalition building on historic efforts such as the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Global Movement to Gaza.

Our Mission:

• Break the illegal siege on Gaza

• Deliver urgent humanitarian aid and solidarity to its people

• Unite global voices across borders, faiths, and movements in one coordinated effort

• Affirm that freedom, justice, and the sanctity of human life are non-negotiable

This is not just about Gaza. It is about humanity. It is about the belief that ordinary people, acting together, can challenge systems of oppression and rewrite the future. The Global Sumud Flotilla is living proof that courage at sea can echo across the world.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is independent, international, and unaffiliated with any government or political party. Our only allegiance is to justice, to freedom, and the sanctity of human life.