Egyptian-American comedian and TV host Bassem Youssef has deactivated his X (formerly Twitter) account, citing safety concerns following his outspoken posts about Gaza. Youssef, who had amassed nearly 12 million followers on the platform, explained his decision in a final post, highlighting how accusations of antisemitism are often used to stifle discussions.
“Antisemitism was an accusation that used to freeze the blood in people’s veins. I see many people now realising how this fear tactic is used to shut down conversations and scare people,” Youssef wrote. “It’s been overused and abused in order to intimidate people. Are you still scared to be called an antisemite by those Zionists? Vote and tell me in your comments,” he added.
Initial reactions among fans speculated that Youssef’s account had been suspended due to his critical posts about the frequent use of antisemitism accusations to divert attention from Israel’s military actions in Gaza. However, Youssef later clarified on Instagram that he had voluntarily deactivated his account. “No, my X account wasn’t taken down by X and I don’t wish to falsely victimize myself using this,” he posted.
Youssef emphasized that his decision was motivated by concerns for his loved ones’ safety. “When safety issues concerning my loved ones are alleviated, I might consider coming back. I wish to deal with this away from the media. I will still be posting my content on TikTok, Insta, and FB,” he said.
In a pointed response to a post from Israel’s official X account celebrating his departure, Youssef shared a screenshot and commented: “How fragile can you be when the official account of your country acts like a little bitch?”
Youssef has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza since the conflict began on 7th October, 2023. His sharp wit and dark humor gained widespread attention, particularly in interviews with British talk show host Piers Morgan, where he shed light on the plight of Palestinians and the pervasive issue of Islamophobia. Reflecting on the backlash he has faced, Youssef told BBC Hardtalk, “I left Egypt because I wasn’t able to say what was on my mind and came to America, the land of the free, the home of the brave. And suddenly, when you talk about certain things, you get accused of all things left, right and centre.” He also noted that criticizing Arab nations like Saudi Arabia doesn’t result in accusations of Islamophobia.
A former heart surgeon, Youssef was forced to flee Egypt in 2014 after his satirical news show, al-Bernameg, drew the ire of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government. His sharp critiques and comedic style earned him comparisons to American satirist Jon Stewart, with his show attracting around 40 million viewers.
Youssef’s wife, Hala Diab, is of Egyptian-Palestinian descent, and he has frequently expressed concerns about her family’s safety in Gaza, particularly amid the ongoing conflict. According to the UN, Gaza’s 2.3 million residents face a dire situation with no means of escape from Israeli airstrikes. The Palestinian health ministry reports that more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began.
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