Tunisian student arrested for storming pitch, waving Palestinian flag during World Cup qualifier

TUNIS, Tunisia

A Tunisian student was arrested for storming a stadium and waving the Palestinian flag during a 2026 World Cup qualifier in the capital Tunis, the country’s student union said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the General Tunisian Union of Students (UGTE) said the student was taken into custody after tearing down banners supporting Israel at the Rades Stadium during Monday’s football match between Tunisia and Malawi.

“The student then waved the Palestinian flag in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian cause,” it added.

The union condemned the arrest as “a violation of freedom of expression and the right to take a firm and clear stance regarding national and humanitarian issues.”

It reiterated support for all rallies in support of the Palestinian cause.

Tunisians shared a video on social media on Monday of a young man while storming the stadium, waving the Palestinian flag and removing a French trademark accused of supporting Israel from the stadium.

There was no immediate comment from the Tunisian authorities on the incident.

Tunisia has seen several protests condemning Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, where more than 50,100 people have been killed in a brutal onslaught since October 2023.

The Israeli army launched a surprise aerial campaign on the Gaza Strip on March 18, killing nearly 800 people, injuring over 1,600 others, and shattering a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.