Israel Matzav

Arab world starting to overthrow its tyrannies?

Is the Arab world finally starting to overthrow its autocratic rulers? What will the consequences be if it does? We may start to get answers to those questions very soon. There have been mass demonstrations and riots this week over food prices in Algeria, and especially in Tunisia. I have some video from Tunisia that you might be interested in watching. Unlike Iran a year and a half ago, the government in Tunisia does not seem to be strong enough to put this down.

This is from a demonstration on Wednesday in Sfax, where tens of thousands of people came out to sing the national anthem. Note that there are no cries - at least in this video - of Allahhu Akhbar. Sfax is on the east coast of Tunisia, just north of the Gulf of Gabes.

Let's go to the videotape.



And here's a demonstration in Hammamet, which is in northeastern Tunisia - apparently on the Mediterranean coast (it's not on the map).

Let's go to the videotape.



This is from a general strike in the city of Sousse, which is two hours south (in a straight line on the map) of Tunis on the Gulf of Hammamet.

Let's go to the videotape.



Finally, there's this video from a student strike in neighboring Algeria, in the town of Bejaia (it's not on the map, so I didn't embed a map).

Let's go to the videotape.



All of this is highly unusual for the Arab world. Let's hope it's the start of something.

Labels: Algeria, anti-government demonstrations, Tunisia

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:21 AM