TUNIS GIVES UP DEMAND TO SACK OFFICIALS AFTER ISRAELIS VISIT TUNISIA

Tunis, 12 Rajab 1435/11 May 2014 (MINA) – The Constitutional Assembly in Tunis gave up demands to vote on sacking tourism minister Amal Karboul and deputy interior minister for security Ridha Sfar for facilitating the entry of Israeli Jews into the country.

Media sources reported that heads of parliamentary blocs had discussed the issue on Friday and decided to withdraw the petition signed to sack both aforementioned officials.

They issued a statement including recommendations for the government regarding Tunisia’s relations with Israel, according to Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reports as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Tunisian lawmakers banned the entrance of Israelis to the country in April.

Over 80 Tunisian lawmakers signed a petition on 25 April, demanding the withdrawal of confidence from Karboul, who let the Israeli visitors in the country, which does not recognize the Zionist regime.

More than 60 Israeli tourists entered Tunisia to attend the annual Jewish pilgrimage in the Ghriba Synagogue on Tunisia’s island of Djerba.

Most of the parliamentarians affirmed through their discussions at the assembly meeting on Friday that they refused normalisation with Israel under any circumstances. They reiterated Tunisia’s support for the Palestinian cause.

Some verbal clashes were exchanged during the meeting as some parliamentarians accused each other of using the Palestinian cause and the issue of normalising ties with Israel for political gain.

Groups of Tunisians organised two separate rallies at the time of the meeting. One of them supported Karboul and the other supported the petition calling for her to be sacked and for strict measures to be taken against her.(T/P03/P04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)