After the Tunisian government prevented over a dozen Israeli passengers from disembarking from a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, the line’s headquarters (based in Miami) announced that it will no longer be making stops in Tunisia.
La Goulette, Tunisia’s main cruise port in the capital of Tunis: the Norwegian Cruise Line dropped Tunisia from its itineraries after the country refused to allow Israeli citizens to disembark at La Goulette.
The Israeli passengers were singled out from hundreds of passengers aboard the Norwegian Jade and barred entry to the port of Tunis after the Tunisian government apparently made a last minute decision.
“We want to send a strong message to Tunisia and ports around the world that we will not tolerate such random acts of discrimination against our guests,” Norwegian Cruise Line’s CEO Kevin Sheehan said in a statement.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) praised the quick decision.
“We applaud the courageous and responsible decision of Norwegian Cruise Line in standing up to the discriminatory policy of the Tunisian government,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “They have sent a clear message to Tunisia and other governments that discriminatory practices against Israelis and other nationals will have a negative impact on tourism.”
