A lively controversy has resurfaced in recent days around the financial report of the flotilla Sumudleft from Tunisia a few weeks ago to deliver symbolic and media aid to Gaza. Faced with persistent questions about the publication of the accounts, one of the initiators of the project, Wael Naouar, responded in a long message published on social networks.
In his post, Naouar denounces “the sudden activation of the machine ‘Where is the financial report?’”, which he attributes to the same actors whom he regularly accuses of “carrying out campaigns of discredit” against any initiative linked to the Palestinian cause.
According to him, these criticisms come from “known bloggers”, “pseudo-journalists involved in financial corruption cases”, as well as media pages accused of relaying hostile narratives. He also makes fun of the skills of certain page administrators, who allegedly “miscalculated the 45 days” announced for the publication of the report.
A context of permanent tensions
Naouar recalls that the organizers had committed to publishing a financial report within 45 days of the flotilla’s return – a deadline which, according to him, expires on December 10.
He emphasizes that this transparency is neither a legal obligation nor an external requirement, but a choice “to be accountable to Tunisians who have made donations”. He adds that the objective is also to demonstrate that an entirely Tunisian initiative without foreign funding can mobilize the resources necessary for a maritime solidarity operation.
In his message, Naouar affirms that the attacks against the flotilla are part of a series of campaigns, already observed, according to him, since October 7: against sit-ins, demonstrations or actions in support of the Palestinian cause. He criticizes the same pages and personalities for relaunching a new front of criticism each time the previous ones are contradicted by the facts.
In this regard, he cites an anecdote: during a condolence visit to a leader of the Hamas movement, the latter allegedly told him that he had initially been “wary” of the absence of attacks against the caravan. Sumudbelieving that any pro-Palestine initiative was normally the subject of hostile campaigns. “The next day, when the attacks began, they understood that the initiative had surprised the enemy,” relates Naouar.
“The report will be published, but the campaigns will continue”
Faced with the doubts of part of the public, Naouar assures that the financial report will be made public on the announced date and will constitute “a lesson in transparency”.
He recognizes, however, that the publication will not silence everyone: “The “sincere” people, he says, will stop their questioning; Actors with “hostile agendas”, in his words, will immediately launch a new campaign.
He concludes his message by addressing a European company that he accuses – without naming it – of financing pages aimed at discrediting the flotilla, affirming that its initiators will continue their action and that they will fight against “any attempt at normalization”.
