THUNBERG JOINS CALL TO FREE HUNGER-STRIKING GAZA FLOTILLA ACTIVISTS

Greta Thunberg and Zwelivelile Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, are among signatories to an open letter calling for the release of four pro-Palestine activists on hunger strike in a Tunisian prison, according to the Gaza Sumud Flotilla. One of the four, Wael Naouar, was hospitalised after 40 days without food, with the organisation describing him as in a semi-comatose state. His father said Naouar was close to death after visiting him this week. The letter, also signed by Kneecap and actor Liam Cunningham, calls for the men's immediate release and urgent medical care. Naouar and his co-defendants, Ghassen Henchiri, Ghassen Boughdiri and Nabil Channoufi, are held at Mornaguia Prison.

The four were arrested in March accused of misusing funds raised for the organisation, which says it works to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver aid by sea. Naouar began his hunger strike over his detention, while Henchiri, Boughdiri and Channoufi started their own strikes roughly two weeks ago. Thunberg and Mandela both took part in the same flotilla as Naouar last year. The Gaza Sumud Flotilla said Tunisian authorities have imposed an information blackout on his condition and that prison authorities have refused to provide information to his family and legal team.

In a statement, the Gaza Sumud Flotilla said it holds Tunisia's president, the General Directorate of Prisons and Rehabilitation, and the Ministry of Justice responsible for Naouar's life and safety. The open letter states that solidarity with Palestine is not a crime, and warns that his heart could stop at any moment. Signatories are calling on the Tunisian government to free all four men immediately. No response from Tunisian authorities has been reported.