Hope And Change In Tunisia

When the so-called "Arab Spring" began in Tunisia, we were told that it would bring democracy, freedom, moderation and secularism to the country and the region.

Today, we learn this:

Today Tunisia's commission of political reform announced that it adopted (by majority) a ''republican pact'' that will be the basis of the future new Constitution, and in particular it states the rejection of any normalisation with Israel.

While announcing the pact the president of the commission, Yadh Ben Achour, did not offer any details, but the Arab speaking Tunisian press published its content, which defines Tunisia as a free and democratic country, whose official language is Arab and whose religion is Islam.

The pact, that will serve as the basis of the future Constitution, categorically rejects ''any form of normalisation with the Zionist State'', and supports the Palestinian cause.

Democracy! Freedom! Moderation! Secularism!

Not that this is anything particularly new in the world of the Tunisian Revolution's "moderate Islamist" leadership.