Gaza Genocide20 September, 20262 min read
Hundreds Protest in Tunis for Release of Four Global Sumud Flotilla Activists
Hundreds of Tunisians protested in Tunis demanding release of four flotilla activists jailed since March They are detained in detention over alleged financial misconduct linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla
Tunisians back jailed activists
Hundreds of Tunisians protested on Saturday in Tunis to demand the release of four Global Sumud Flotilla activists held in pre-trial detention since March over alleged financial misconduct linked to a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid mission. The activists were arrested in March accused of misusing funds raised for the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sailed to Gaza in 2025 with the aim of delivering aid to the Palestinian territory.
In a statement on Saturday, the group said the detained activists' health was "deteriorating fast" after they began a hunger strike to protest their imprisonment. Bassem Trifi, head of the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH), said, "This is a politically motivated case, and we consider them to be prisoners of conscience and political prisoners."
Hunger strike and hunger
The Global Sumud Flotilla said the activists' arrest came as the group prepared for a new mission departing in part from Tunisia, which was later cancelled. Ghassen Bouazi, an advocate for the activists' release, said their arrest was "part of a broader campaign targeting political figures, rights advocates and journalists".
Al Jazeera reported that hundreds protested in Tunis demanding the release of four Global Sumud Flotilla activists held in pre-trial detention since March over alleged financial misconduct linked to the Gaza aid mission. The protesters' demands were tied to the flotilla’s description of its actions as a "non-violent response to genocide, siege, mass starvation, and the destruction of civilian life in Gaza."
Flotilla attacked, case expands
The Global Sumud Flotilla said its ships were attacked by two drones while anchored in Tunisia's Sidi Bou Said port last year, before reaching Gaza. Before reaching Gaza last year, the flotilla was intercepted by Israel, which seized its boats before detaining and deporting the activists.
In the latest protests, the Global Sumud Flotilla described the legal action as a "troubling departure from Tunisia's long history of public solidarity with the Palestinian people." Roya News also reported that the arrests were rejected by rights organizations, framing the case as an attempt to curb popular pro-Palestinian advocacy, while the group said the detainees' health was "deteriorating fast" after entering a hunger strike.