Tunisian MPs question tourism minister over israeli tourists case

Tunisia’s National Constituent Assembly questioned the country’s Tourism Minister Amel Karboul and Deputy Interior Minister for Security Ridha Sfar. Karboul is accused of receiving 61 Israeli tourists last month, and Sfar is suspected of facilitating their entry into Tunisia.
In her defense, the Tourism Minister said that many companies have now canceled all future Tunisia port stops which could provide millions of Dinars to the state. Lawmakers rejected the use of economic pressures to impose relations with Tel Aviv which is responsible for crimes against humanity. Deputy Interior Minister Ridha Sfar also argued that accepting Israelis on Tunisian soil is an old practice. MPs said that they consider the presence of Israeli tourists a threat to national security. Tourism Minister Amel Karboul and Deputy Interior Minister Ridha Sfar say they did not act unilaterally to authorize the entry of Israeli tourists. However, lawmakers hold the two ministers responsible for trying to normalizing ties with Tel Aviv.