Tunisia, in which the "Arab Spring" riots began several years ago, has been presented as an example of the success of the democratic experiment in spite of the rise of Islamist movements, primarily the Ennahda party which is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and which won the first elections in the country only to be forced to step down later.
While in office, Ennahda party never hid its intentions to apply Sharia Islamic law in Tunisia, identified with the “Palestinian issue” and expressed full support for the destruction of Israel.
Following the ongoing terror wave in Jerusalem this week, the deputy leader of Ennahda, Mohamed Akrout, called on Arab leaders to support the “Palestinian struggle” in all its forms, including using armed forces, to resist the continued Israeli “aggression” against the Palestinian people and the Muslim holy sites, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Akrut, who is a member of the global coalition in support of Jerusalem and Palestine, said in an interview with Hamas's Falastin magazine that the Arab leaders need to pressure international organizations to support the Palestinian struggle, including the armed one, and not to describe it as “terrorism". He added that an armed struggle against Israel is not a crime because it is part of a struggle to free the land and the holy places which are under “occupation”.
The comments come amid continued Arab-incited violence in Jerusalem and specifically on the Temple Mount. The violence began before Rosh Hashanah, when masked Muslim rioters hurled rocks and fireworks at police on the Temple Mount, as well as firebombs near two entrances to the site.
The clashes continued after the holiday as well, as once again masked Muslim youths gathered around the mosque and threw rocks and other projectiles at police who had entered the compound in large numbers and responded with stun grenades.
The Arab League, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have condemned Israel over the violence. The Arab League warned against the "Judaization of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israel" and threatened to turn to international legal institutions.
Saudi King Salman, meanwhile, appealed to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and members of the Security Council for "urgent measures" after the clashes.
Salman "expressed strong condemnation of the dangerous Israeli escalation" at the holy site where Palestinian rioters clashed with Israeli police for three straight days, the Saudi Press Agency reported.