Zohour Al-Mashriqi
Tunis – Journalists participating in an honor ceremony organized by the National Union of Tunisian Journalists agreed that journalism, in its essence, is a noble profession inseparable from siding with truth, justice, and human dignity. It is not merely the transmission of news or a superficial commitment to objectivity, but represents above all a moral and human stance that obliges the journalist to be a witness to truth and a voice for those who have none.

The National Union of Tunisian Journalists organized on Wednesday, October 15, an honor ceremony for journalists who participated in the "Freedom Flotilla," in appreciation of their courage in undertaking a risky experience and their deep loyalty to the mission of journalism in its noblest form.

During the ceremony, a deep discussion was opened about the essence of journalistic work and its connection with major human and rights issues. The Tunisian journalist Olfa Lamloum spoke about her unique experience within the flotilla, which extended across three ships, strengthening her belief in the importance of human and feminine solidarity that transcends borders, identities, nationalities, religions, and races.

She explained that she began her journey aboard a monitoring ship, then moved to the ship "Alma", which was leading the flotilla, before her experience concluded on the ship "Aurora", which was intercepted. She pointed out that the participation of women was prominent and influential, yet it did not receive sufficient attention, as male heroism narratives overshadowed the vital role played by women despite their strong and impressive presence.

She added:“The ship Aurora was mostly occupied by women, who embodied a brave leadership role in various stages of the flotilla. Among them were captains, such as the captain from Uruguay who was on my ship. Unfortunately, these important roles were not highlighted as they should have been.”

Olfa Lamloum confirmed that she made the decision to participate in the journey of the "Freedom Flotilla" to Gaza with full awareness of all scenarios and possibilities, and that her insistence on participation stemmed from a deep conviction that collective solidarity is no longer sufficient from behind screens — it must be realized on the ground, especially after years of witnessing massacres and genocide through available media.

The Flotilla Experience: An Inspiration for All Women
She stressed that actual mobilization and international pressure have become an urgent necessity to stop the crimes being committed, noting that the symbolism of the flotilla lies in its ability to rally global support, as participants came from various countries in solidarity with Gaza and in defense of humanity.

She added: “The flotilla experience was inspiring for all the women who participated courageously despite the intimidation and fear practiced against them. I insisted on participating out of my belief in the importance of our presence — to say to the women of Gaza: We are with you, we hear you, and we stand in solidarity with you.”


Painful Details of Violations
Olfa Lamloum recounted painful details about the violations women were subjected to during their abduction by Israeli forces, pointing out that they were systematic attempts at humiliation and subjugation. The women were forced to completely remove their clothes under the pretext of medical examination and were photographed in humiliating conditions. They were detained in narrow cages without beds, in circumstances that did not respect the minimum requirements of human dignity.

She explained that they were subjected to severe psychological pressure to force them to sign documents claiming that they — along with their male companions — had violated territorial waters and entered a war zone, in an attempt to criminalize the act of solidarity and turn it into an accusation.

She indicated that the movement represented by the "Freedom Flotilla" was global in every sense, as it united free voices from different countries of the world, transcending borders and obstacles, in a collective stance rejecting genocide and famine that the world witnessed daily without acting to stop it.


A Symbolic Movement
She confirmed that the message was delivered, and that eyes indeed turned toward Gaza, stressing that the true heroes and heroines are in Gaza and Palestine, where they face daily killing, abuse, bombing, and starvation. She considered that the "Freedom Flotilla" was merely a symbolic movement aimed at awakening consciences that had become accustomed to watching these crimes silently without rejecting or confronting them.

At the end of her speech, Olfa Lamloum expressed her deep condemnation of the official French stance, describing it as one of the most “shameful” and complicit, as the French authorities refrained from transporting the activists or even providing a plane to return them to their countries, forcing many of them to bear the costs of return on their own despite being in extremely difficult conditions without phones or official documents.

Journalism as a Noble Act of Resistance
During the honor ceremony, it was emphasized that the message of the journalists participating in the "Freedom Flotilla" embodies the true meaning of journalism — that a real journalist is not one who merely describes reality, but one who strives to change it for the better.

To practice journalism with courage and conscience, they affirmed, is to make it a noble act of resistance in the face of oppression and a moral weapon in humanity’s struggle for justice and freedom.