Tunisia Arrests Over 15 Pro-Gaza Activists Supporting Detained "Flotilla of Steadfastness" Members
Tunisia's "Flotilla of Steadfastness" organization announced on Monday that security forces arrested more than 15 individuals participating in a march supporting detained members of the group. The organization, part of a global initiative to break the blockade on Gaza, stated in a release that a "widespread, intimidating police campaign" targeted activists demanding the release of their colleagues. The group published the names of 15 detainees, adding that several others remain missing, with their fate unknown. It specified that the detainees were "abducted at night under various circumstances, from their homes and from the streets."
Hundreds of protesters demonstrated in the capital, Tunis, on Saturday, calling for the freedom of four "Flotilla of Steadfastness" members arrested in March on money laundering charges. Protesters held signs reading, "Criminalizing solidarity with Palestine is high treason" and "No concessions on the cause, no belief in the charade." The demonstration was organized by the Tunisian "Flotilla of Steadfastness" and other associations and parties.
On September 11, Tunisian judicial authorities decided to extend the detention of the four members for an additional four months as part of the ongoing money laundering investigation. In March, authorities ordered the arrest of seven steering committee members of the "Flotilla of Steadfastness" on similar charges, though three were later released.
The "Flotilla of Steadfastness" and a defense committee are demanding the release of the detainees, asserting their activities are linked to solidarity movements with Palestinians and efforts to breach the Israeli blockade on Gaza. The "Global Flotilla of Steadfastness" launched several ships toward Gaza in late August 2025 aiming to break the blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, which has been intensified since October 7, 2023. Israeli forces intercepted these ships as they approached Gaza, arresting the activists on board before deporting them.
