A Tunisian student has been arrested after storming the pitch and waving a Palestinian flag during a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Tunis, the country’s student union announced on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the General Tunisian Union of Students (UGTE), the student was detained after tearing down banners supporting Israel at Rades Stadium during Monday’s match between Tunisia and Malawi. The union described the act as a demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
UGTE condemned the arrest, calling it a violation of freedom of expression and the right to take a clear stance on national and humanitarian issues. The organization also reaffirmed its support for rallies advocating for Palestine.
Footage circulating on social media showed a young man running onto the field, waving the Palestinian flag, and removing advertisements linked to a French company accused of supporting Israel.
Tunisian authorities have yet to comment on the incident.
Tunisia has witnessed several protests in recent months denouncing Israel’s military actions in Gaza, where more than 50,100 people have been killed since October 2023. Tensions escalated further after an Israeli airstrike on March 18 killed nearly 800 people, breaking a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had been in place since January.
The conflict has also drawn legal scrutiny, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes. Meanwhile, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its military operations in Gaza.