Hundreds of Tunisians demand release of jailed Gaza flotilla activists

Hundreds of Tunisians demonstrated on Saturday in an effort to secure the release of four pro-Palestinian activists currently imprisoned. The four individuals were arrested in March for allegedly misappropriating funds collected for the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission that departed for Gaza in 2025. The group has consistently pleaded for their freedom, with the activists on a hunger strike to protest their detention.

Bassem Trifi, leader of the Tunisian League for Human Rights, stated that the situation is politically motivated and considers the detainees to be prisoners of conscience. The activists' arrest took place as the group was preparing for a new mission from Tunisia, which was subsequently canceled. The supporters, led by Ghassen Bouazi, argued that the arrest is part of a larger campaign against political figures, advocates for rights, and journalists.

The Global Sumud Flotilla describes its actions as a non-violent response to the circumstances in Gaza, which includes genocide, siege, mass starvation, and the destruction of civilian life. The flotilla was attacked by drones in Tunisia last year before being intercepted by Israel, leading to the seizure of its boats and the detention and deportation of the activists.