Tunisia union chief slams normalization, declares Gaza support 'duty'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
20 Jan 2024 15:26
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The head of Tunisian General Labor Union condemns the stance of the Arab League on the Israeli war on Gaza and calls it "shameful".

Senior members of the Tunisian General Labor Union, including organization leader Noureddine Taboubi during an event comemorating the 78th anniversary of the union's founding under the slogan "Committee in support of Palestinian Resistance," on Saturday, January 20, 2024 (Social media)

The General Secretary of the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), Noureddine Taboubi, affirmed on Saturday the need to continue the international solidarity campaign in support of the Palestinian people and condemnation of the Israeli brutal aggression on Gaza.

Taboubi, on the 78th anniversary of the founding of the union - which now has around 1 million members - under the slogan "Committee in support of Palestinian Resistance," stated that the war on Gaza aims to eliminate the Resistance and the steadfast Palestinian cause, and to promote normalization with the Israeli enemy.

In his address, the union leader condemned the shameful stance of the Arab League and the complicity of some Arab governments with the occupation entity, further condemning the aggression of some Western countries against Yemen and the laws they introduced to obstruct solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Tunisia rises in support for Palestine

Taboubi extended his respect and appreciation to South Africa, which initiated legal action at the International Court of Justice ICJ to condemn the Israeli entity for genocide.

Since day one of the Israeli war on Gaza, Tunisians organized angry protests against the occupation and expressed unwavering solidarity and support for Palestine and the people of Gaza. Demonstrators have even called for the expulsion of the US ambassador due to Washington's role in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Taboubi called for the continuation and intensification of efforts in Tunisia in support of Gaza until victory is achieved and Palestinians' usurped rights are restored, emphasizing that supporting the Palestinian cause is a duty enshrined in the laws of the union, and they will remain committed to this pledge.

Meanwhile, the Tunisian General Labour Union confirmed its ongoing communication with international trade unions and criticized their biased positions against the Palestinian people.

Criminalizing normalization?

Last year, a bill criminalizing normalization with the occupation entity was presented to the Tunisian parliament. However, just prior to an assembly vote on the draft law, President Kais Saied obstructed the session on November 2.

“The President told me to inform you to postpone the session because the proposed law endangers Tunisia’s external security and interests,” the head of the People’s Assembly Ibrahim Bouderbala told the lawmakers, adding that they could do with the president’s opinion “whatever they want”.

Bouderbala later postponed the vote to an indefinite date.

Commenting on the incident, Taboubi confirmed that the union "is moving forward with the enactment of a law ... and we will not accept flimsy justifications because the danger of Zionist infiltration into our country is not new," noting that "such a law will help deepen the isolation of the occupier entity."

It is worth noting that the Tunisian General Labour Union is an independent democratic worker-based national trade organization, separate from all political organizations.