In the cradle of Tunisia's revolution, anger gave way to apathy. Then Gaza happened

In the cradle of Tunisia's revolution, anger gave way to apathy. Then Gaza happened

Fifteen years ago, this was a city that changed the Arab world.

It was here that street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire after local officials harassed him, humiliated him, and confiscated his fruit cart - igniting an uprising that toppled Tunisia's longtime ruler, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and inspired revolts across the Middle East and North Africa.

Today, the market hums with familiar rhythms. Traders haggle over prices. Customers inspect fruit they increasingly struggle to afford. Life appears ordinary.

Yet beneath the routine, residents say something has shifted. Not because Tunisia's economic crisis has eased. Nor because confidence in politics has returned.

Instead, many point to an event more than 2,000km away: Israel's war on Gaza.

For many in Sidi Bouzid, solidarity with Palestinians has become inseparable from their own frustrations over deepening poverty and a political system they say has left them feeling powerless.

The war has also done something few analysts expected.

After years in which public political discussions all but disappeared due to apathy and President Kais Saied's increasingly authoritarian rule, many residents say Israel's genocidal campaign has given them a reason to speak openly again.

"Our leaders betrayed us," Wajdi, a fruit seller, told Middle East Eye.

"What have the Muslim leaders done for Palestine? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

"We're told every day that Tunisia stands with Palestine, but what has our government actually done?"

Read more: In the cradle of Tunisia's revolution, anger gave way to apathy. Then Gaza happened ...