Tunisia: Its vote against the Centennial Plan indicates toughening against the US

A UN Security Council resolution strongly condemns the US century deal and talk of possible annexation of land by Israel. In doing so, Tunisia clearly stands against the United States.

The same power that aids financially and conceptually for Tunisia to consolidate democracy, and has been the flow of over $ 1 billion in aid since the Arab Spring of 2011. Instead of gratitude to the United States, Tunisia spits on a well from which it drinks. This is Case Said’s stiff policy, Tunisia’s fresh president.

The Tunisian proposal to the Security Council reinforces the trend of hardening positions that began with the election of Said, a lawyer with no political experience, to the state presidency in October last year. Said has stated pan-Arab views, believes in Tunisia’s Arabic as part of the great Arab nation, and hence his hostility to Israel. In his presidential campaign and immediately after his election, he expressed extreme vehemence towards Israel.

Among other things, he said that Tunisia is at war with Zionist Israel and that anyone who normalizes its relations with her is a traitor and will be charged with treason (Haute trahison), which according to the Tunisian constitution punishes her death sentence. In addition, Said will prohibit entry of Jews carrying Israeli passports to Tunisia.

These stark statements contradict the image of moderation and pragmatism that Tunisia has been trying to compare to since its mythical leader Habib Burgiba called for recognition in Israel as early as 1956. Tunisia claimed to have contributed to the Oslo process and in 1996 even opened a Ministry of interests in Israel in full diplomatic status.

In the Arab Maghreb, Tunisia and Morocco are considered to have a sober and realistic orientation towards Israel. Said’s extreme positions are troubling in light of the ancient historical link between Jews and Tunisia. Algarve Synagogue on the island of Djerba is a traditional and permanent destination for pilgrimage of Jews, including Israelis.

Visiting the synagogue, attending prayers, and listening to poems are special experiences I have experienced myself. Djerba is a focal point for pilgrimage to Lag Baomer, which attracts thousands of Jews from around the world. There were flights from Israel to the island to take part in the festivities.

President Said, it seems, wants to do all this and prevent Israelis from taking part in the tradition of many decades. The worship in Gervais is purely religious and devoid of any political context.

Howe Security Council

President Said, in his stiff positions, violates Jewish tradition. The United States needs to go into the picture and explain to the new president the sensitivity of this violation. The mobilization of European countries, especially Macron’s France, for this explanatory effort is crucial.

And if the prime minister wants to worry about Morocco in its fight against the Algerian-backed Polisario Front in the Western Sahara, he should devote his efforts to preserving the traditional Jewish-affinity for Tunisia.