Tunisian Parliament Questions Ministers over Normalization with ’Israel’

Local Editor

Tunisia's parliament questioned two ministers Friday accused of promoting "normalization" with the Zionist entity, after "Israeli" tourists were allowed into the North African country, which does not recognize Tel Aviv.

A motion of censure was filed last month against Tourism Minister Amel Karboul, who is accused of receiving a group of "Israelis" recently, and Deputy Interior Minister for Security Ridha Sfar, suspected of facilitating their entry into Tunisia.

The debate, focused on "Israelis" only and not all Jews, comes just a week ahead of an annual pilgrimage that draw Jews to Tunisia from around the world.

For reasons of "national security," the government had asked for the hearing to be held behind closed doors. The majority of parliamentary group leaders said they supported that, but they failed to muster the votes necessary to force it.
Leftist MP Faycel Jadlaoui said allowing "Israelis" into Tunisia "undermines state sovereignty."
"We did not have our revolution so that the first revolutionary measure taken was normalization with the Zionist entity," he said, to enthusiastic applause from the National Assembly.

Sfar defended himself against charges of promoting normalization with "Israel", saying he merely followed procedures that have been in force for years.
"The case is purely administrative... We do not deal with "Israeli" papers," he said, claiming that the tourists coming from the Zionist entity had been issued with Tunisian passes, because Tunis does not recognize "Israeli" passports.
The debate comes just weeks after "Israeli" tourists aboard an American cruise ship were denied entry.

In response, Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line announced that its ships would not return to Tunisia.

Sfar justified his authorizing the "Israelis'" entry by the need to respond to an "international campaign" accusing Tunisia of discrimination.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team