Summary:

On 8 November 2023, the Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail (UGTT) office in Sfax released a statement demanding the expulsion from Tunisia of an expatriate manager for being opposed to a solidarity campaign with the Palestinian people. 

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The manager was not named nor was their country of residence identified, however, the company was identified as Thyna Petroleum Services. 

The manager was identified as holding the view that the company should “refrain from discussing political and religious affairs.” However, the regional UGTT office rejected this position, demanding the expulsion of the manager in light of the union’s commitment to solidarity with the Palestinian people. 

Outlook: 

The Palestinian cause has had a unifying effect on the Tunisian political and social landscape, drawing large crowds to demonstrations. However, pro-Israeli sentiment has had a similarly unifying effect in other countries and contexts. 

The instance in Sfax points to the risks that could stem from the ongoing conflict in Israel/Palestine as various communities and individuals engage in controversial and, in some cases, inflammatory narratives from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli perspectives. 

Workplace conflicts are among many that could emerge as various communities and individuals express their concerns and frustrations related to the conflict. Western individuals and entities are particularly vulnerable, regardless of their views, due to frustrations with the policies of their home country governments. 

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