In the heart of Tunis, hundreds of activists gathered on Friday to demand the criminalisation of normalising relations with Israel. The protest, organised by the "Common Action for Palestine" coalition, took place in response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, now entering its 18th month.

From Bab El Khadhra to the Parliament building in Bardo, demonstrators expressed their unwavering opposition to any cooperation with Israel. A large banner at the front of the procession read: "The people demand the criminalisation of normalisation with the Zionist entity and an end to military and security cooperation with the United States."

The rally was part of Tunisia’s "Day to Criminalise Normalisation," a call for immediate legal action to halt all forms of collaboration with Israel. The organisers demanded not only the enactment of laws to criminalise normalisation but also the expulsion of the US ambassador, accusing the US of complicity in the oppression of Palestinians and other regional peoples.

In 2023, the Tunisian Parliament failed to pass a law criminalising normalisation, as a planned vote was indefinitely postponed. Yet, the latest demonstration shows a resolute determination to push this issue forward.

For the Palestinian people, the Tunisian protest represents a powerful symbol of solidarity. It reinforces that Tunisia, despite external pressures, remains committed to the Palestinian cause and will continue to call for justice until the silence around Gaza’s suffering is broken.