As conflict rages in the Gaza Strip, Tunisian lawmakers convened for the commencement of a plenary session on Thursday, Nov. 02, to examine a draught that would criminalize normalizing ties with the state of Israel.
“Normalization” is defined in the draught bill as “the establishment of direct or indirect ties” or “recognition of the Zionist entity.”
“High treason” would be the classification for the crime of normalization.
According to the document, anyone found guilty of “the crime of normalization” could be sentenced to six to ten years in prison and fined 10,000 to 100,000 dinars (3,000 to 30,000 euros). Repeat offenders would receive a life sentence in prison.
“We will maintain our position that the Palestinian question is the central issue for our people. We are opposed to the normalization and recognition of the legitimacy of this entity,” speaker of Tunisia’s parliament, Brahim Bouderbala said.
According to him, the 161 MPs were aligned with the President’s position and the Tusinian people’s aspirations on the subject.
Many pro-Palestinian marches were organized in the country recently.
“We firmly maintain our position that Palestine must be liberated from the river to the sea, with the full recovery of the homeland, the return of all territories and the establishment of the Palestinian state on all its lands, with Jerusalem as its capital,” Bouderbala said.
Passage of the six-article draught should be delayed.
Should it be put to a vote, it would outlaw connections between Israelis and Tunisians as well as “institutions, organisations, governmental or non-governmental” entities that have ties to the Israeli state.
Additionally, it forbids Tunisians from taking part in any event—whether “political, economic, scientific, cultural, artistic, or sporting”—that is held on territory controlled by Israel.
The 6-article legislation was first proposed in July 2023 by the Bloc national souverain faction, according to local media Tunisie Numérique.
However, according to media Inkyfada, a similar law was presented in November 2012 by 36 members of the National Constituent Assembly. “Criminalize all forms of normalization with the Zionist state” was the stated goal of the measure.
The Al Wafa parliamentary group, which is composed of former Congress for the Republic (CPR) party members, spearheaded the initiative.
Thursday, November 2, saw the Gaza Strip bombarded by Israeli forces once again. In addition, soldiers are engaged in ground combat with Hamas fighters.
Israel began an offensive that has resulted in the deaths of over 9,000 Palestinians since Hamas fighters killed Israeli civilians on October 7. According to the Gaza health ministry, which is under Hamas control, two thirds of them are women and children.
