In Tunisia, according to a bill before parliament, connections with Israel will in the future be punished as “high treason”. The anti-Semitic text provides for draconian punishments. ‘Repeat offenders’ risk life imprisonment.
The bill discussed in parliament on Thursday against the backdrop of the war between Israel and Hamas provides for a prison sentence of six to twelve years for “high treason” for Tunisian citizens who commit the “crime of normalizing” relations with Israel, in the case of a life sentence for repeated offences.
Government draft
The bill was drawn up by supporters of the authoritarian head of state Kais Saied. He defines “normalization” as “the recognition of the Zionist entity or the establishment of direct or indirect relations” with Israel.
If the law comes into effect, Tunisians will be banned from entering into contracts, cooperation or contacts with Israelis. The draft proposes a ban on any interaction with Israeli “individuals, institutions, organizations, governmental or non-governmental entities.”
The ban should also apply to events in the “political, economic, scientific, artistic and sporting” areas that take place in Israel and in the Israeli-occupied territories.
Tunisia denies Israel the right to exist
Tunisian parliament speaker Brahim Bouderbala said of the plans that there would be “complete harmony between the position of the president, that of parliament and the aspirations of public opinion.” He emphasized: “We firmly believe that Palestine must be liberated from the river to the sea (…).” This formulation means a Palestinian state stretching from the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea – the State of Israel denied the right to exist.
Since the start of the war between Israel and the radical Islamist group Hamas, thousands of Tunisians have shown their support for the Palestinians during demonstrations. President Saied described the situation in the Gaza Strip as ‘unacceptable’ and any normalization of relations with Israel as ‘high treason’.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
