Saied warns of a plot to tarnish Tunisia’s image due to its support for Palestinians
Tunisia’s president warns of what he described as the hidden queues of the global Zionist movement, which has been characterized by collaboration and betrayal and has no aim other than destroying societies and exploding countries.
On Thursday, Tunisian President Kais Saied called on the Ministry of Interior to exercise “increased vigilance and attentiveness” in the face of efforts to “tarnish” his country’s stance in support of the Palestinian cause. He made this call during his meeting with Minister of Interior Kamel Feki at the Carthage Palace, according to a statement released by the Tunisian presidency. Tunisia’s position has been one of supportive of the Palestinians and condemns Israeli violations.
He explained that vigilance is required “especially at this time when the Tunisian people express their unconditional solidarity with the Palestinian people and their unlimited support to reclaim their inalienable rights in all of Palestine.”
Saied emphasized that “there are those who seek to infiltrate to distort the steadfast position of the Tunisian people, in addition to the hidden queues of the global Zionist movement, which has been characterized by collaboration and betrayal, with no aim other than destroying societies and exploding countries.” He didn’t specify particular entities, but the Tunisian president frequently accuses his opponents and some individuals in jail of being Western sympathizers.
He pointed out that “Tunisia faces numerous challenges domestically and externally, and the Tunisian people are fully aware of the necessity of addressing and overcoming them by relying on themselves and their own capabilities in the first place.”
Saied had previously called on multiple occasions for his country’s people to stand alongside the Palestinian people, stating that “today’s battle is against global Zionism.” He had also emphasized during his election campaign that “normalization with the Israeli state is betrayal,” a statement that his supporters chanted and contributed to his victory in the 2019 presidential elections.
Observers believe that Tunisia’s position will have particular implications for its relations with countries supporting Israel, primarily the United States, France, Britain, and Germany. Tunisia is currently grappling with a severe economic crisis, as the International Monetary Fund rejected granting the country $1.9 billion in support. Some economic experts believe that Tunisia’s positions against Israel could further complicate the crisis.
Tunisian journalist Zied El Heni warned on Wednesday in a statement to the private “Radio IFM” of a plot to resume assassinations in Tunisia to pressure the president due to his stance on the war in Gaza, saying, “He has information, and his statements are not just words on paper.”
El Heni also called on the Minister of Interior to be vigilant and to safeguard the safety of Tunisian territory while countering attempts to disturb the security situation. He might be summoned to the research department in terrorism cases in Boussah to provide his testimony.
After the revolution, Tunisia has witnessed several political assassinations, starting with the assassination of leftist opposition figure Chokri Belaid, with some reports suggesting the involvement of external hands to cause chaos in Tunisia.
Parliament member Fatma Mesadi confirmed that consultations are underway regarding the approval of the controversial normalization law.
For 21 days now, Gaza has been under Israeli airstrikes since the launch of the “Storm Al-Aqsa” operation by Hamas and other Palestinian factions on October 7th, which was met with the Israeli “Iron Swords” operation.
