12/6/2025
Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, member of the Executive Committee and Head of the Refugee Affairs Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization, visited the Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in Palestine on Thursday. He met with His Excellency Ambassador Habib Ben Farah. The delegation included Anwar Hammam, Deputy Head of the Department; Mohammad Alian, Director General of Camps; and Bassam Al-Wahidi, Head of Public Relations.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Abu Holi praised Ambassador Ben Farah for his significant role in facilitating and supporting the recent visit of the Palestinian delegation to Tunisia. That visit was part of a series of important events commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, held in Tunisia with wide participation from various institutions and the Tunisian University. The events aimed to shed light on the targeting of refugee camps and UNRWA, and on the genocidal war being waged by the occupying state against the Palestinian people across all Palestinian territories.
Dr. Abu Holi briefed Ambassador Ben Farah on the importance of the outcomes of the meeting held at the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Mr. Mohamed Ben Ayad, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad. During the meeting, they expressed appreciation for Tunisian President Kais Saied's firm and unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, as well as the historic stance of the Tunisian people.
The Head of the Refugee Affairs Department stressed the importance of Tunisia’s role in supporting Palestinian rights, especially in national, regional, African, and international arenas. Tunisia’s history, experience, and reputation make it well-positioned to play a leading role globally.
Dr. Abu Holi emphasized the need to build on what has already been achieved and to enhance cooperation in various areas that support the Palestinian cause and the legal and political rights of refugees. He noted that Tunisia’s leadership and people have a deep understanding of all aspects of the Palestinian issue. In this context, he provided a comprehensive overview of UNRWA’s role, the targeting it faces, and the importance of all countries — particularly Tunisia — participating in supporting UNRWA, which is a life-saving institution, especially in the Gaza Strip. He stressed this in light of the genocidal war, the promotion of forced displacement through starvation, denial of aid, and efforts to render Gaza uninhabitable. He affirmed that the Palestinian people, since 1948, have demonstrated their ability to rebuild life despite disasters, setbacks, wars, and historical injustices.
For his part, Ambassador Habib Ben Farah welcomed Dr. Abu Holi and his accompanying delegation. He reaffirmed that Tunisia has always been, and will continue to be, a steadfast supporter of Palestine and its just cause. He reiterated Tunisia’s firm and unwavering position in support of the Palestinian cause, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and rejection of any form of compromise on these rights.
Ambassador Ben Farah noted that Tunisian-Palestinian relations are deep and rooted. Palestine holds a strong presence in Tunisia, reflected in the level of awareness, solidarity, engagement, and initiatives from both the Tunisian state and people. Both place the Palestinian issue at the top of their priorities. He stated that defending Palestine is defending Tunisia itself. This relationship was forged through key historical moments — from hosting the Palestinian revolution in the early 1980s, the Israeli raid on Hammam al-Shatt, to the return of Palestinian leaders from Tunisia to Palestine — culminating in the current exemplary relationship between the two peoples
