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April 5, 2024 • 2hr 48min
#424 – Bassem Youssef: Israel-Palestine, Gaza, Hamas, Middle East, Satire & Fame
Lex Fridman Podcast
Bassem Youssef is an Egyptian-American comedian, writer, producer, surgeon, and television host. He rose to fame hosting a satirical news program in Egypt from 2011-2014 that was compared to The Daily Show. After facing legal threats, Youssef fled Egypt in 2014 and has since rebuilt his comedy career in the United States. In this wide-ranging conversation, Youssef discusses his experiences with political satire in Egypt, his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the power of comedy to challenge authority, and his perspective on American politics and media.
#424 – Bassem Youssef: Israel-Palestine, Gaza, Hamas, Middle East, Satire & Fame
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Key Takeaways
- Bassem Youssef is an Egyptian-American comedian known as the "Jon Stewart of the Arab World" for his political satire
- He discusses his experiences with sudden fame in Egypt, being forced to flee the country, and rebuilding his comedy career in the US
- Youssef provides his perspective on the Israel-Palestine conflict, criticizing Israel's actions while acknowledging the complexity of the situation
- He argues that Israel's policies are leading to increased antisemitism globally and hurting Jewish people
- Youssef reflects on the power of comedy and satire to speak truth to power, even in authoritarian regimes
- He expresses concern about the state of American democracy and the influence of money in politics
- Youssef sees hope in younger generations using social media to challenge legacy media and hold politicians accountable
Introduction
Bassem Youssef is an Egyptian-American comedian, writer, producer, surgeon, and television host. He rose to fame hosting a satirical news program in Egypt from 2011-2014 that was compared to The Daily Show. After facing legal threats, Youssef fled Egypt in 2014 and has since rebuilt his comedy career in the United States. In this wide-ranging conversation, Youssef discusses his experiences with political satire in Egypt, his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the power of comedy to challenge authority, and his perspective on American politics and media.
Topics Discussed
Reaction to October 7 Hamas Attack (6:41)
Youssef describes his initial reaction to the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel as shock and fear about potential repercussions for Arabs and Muslims. He was hesitant to comment publicly at first, but eventually decided to go on Piers Morgan's show to provide his perspective, despite the risks.
- Youssef felt it was a "lose-lose situation" - he could face backlash from Hollywood or rejection from his own community
- He describes going into a "trance" during the 33-minute interview, fighting for every second to get his points across
- Youssef wanted to speak up for his wife's Palestinian family and counter what he saw as one-sided reporting
Criticisms of Israel's Actions (36:59)
Youssef provides a critical perspective on Israel's military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, arguing they are disproportionate and causing immense civilian suffering.
- He contends there is an unequal valuation of Palestinian vs Israeli lives in media coverage
- Youssef cites examples of Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank
- He argues Israel views Palestinians as "less than human" and dispensable
- Key quote: "What Israel is doing right now is not just unfair to the Palestinians, it's unfair to the Jewish people in Israel."
Reflections on the Holocaust (52:37)
Youssef discusses how to incorporate the history of the Holocaust into understanding the Israel-Palestine conflict. He acknowledges the horror of the Holocaust while arguing it doesn't justify Israel's current actions.
- He notes that many European countries and the US rejected Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany
- Youssef contends that Arabs are unfairly being made to pay the price for European antisemitism
- He argues hatred of Jews has historically stemmed from religious persecution and economic resentment
Establishment of Israel in 1948 (1:00:24)
Youssef challenges some common narratives about Israel's founding in 1948, arguing the military balance was not as uneven as often portrayed.
- He contends Israeli forces were better equipped and trained than Arab armies
- Youssef argues Israel has never willingly given up land without being forced to
- He sees the displacement of Palestinians as similar to what happened to Native Americans
Growing Up in Egypt (1:09:17)
Youssef reflects on his childhood and youth in Egypt, describing feeling like an outsider in various settings.
- He came from a middle-class family and felt less wealthy than classmates at private school
- Youssef compensated by excelling academically and in sports
- He pursued medicine partly because it was an expected path for high-achieving students
- Youssef discovered salsa dancing as an outlet while in medical school
Influence of Jon Stewart (1:23:39)
Youssef describes how seeing Jon Stewart's Daily Show for the first time in 2003 inspired him to pursue political satire.
- He was captivated by the rhythm and style of the show even without understanding all the references
- Youssef wondered if something similar could be done in Egypt
- In 2011, he started making YouTube videos inspired by Stewart's format
Rise to Fame During Arab Spring (1:25:51)
Youssef recounts his rapid rise to fame in Egypt after the 2011 revolution, going from YouTube videos to a massively popular TV show.
- His show quickly gained 30-40 million viewers per episode
- Youssef found the sudden fame and adoration unnatural and uncomfortable
- He faced increasing pressure and threats as he criticized those in power
Differences Between Arabic and English Comedy (1:49:55)
Youssef discusses the challenges of performing stand-up in both Arabic and English, noting key differences.
- English serves as a unifying language for diverse Arab audiences
- Arabic comedy requires navigating different dialects and cultural references
- He pushes boundaries more in his Arabic shows, addressing taboos
Views on Sam Harris and Jihad (2:02:18)
Youssef responds to Sam Harris' criticisms of jihad and martyrdom in Islam, arguing they ignore political context.
- He contends people don't choose suicide bombing without being pushed to extremes
- Youssef argues Harris cherry-picks negative aspects of Islam while ignoring similar issues in other religions
- He sees Harris' focus on religious texts as a distraction from political realities
Reflections on Religion (2:07:25)
Youssef shares his thoughts on the origins and impacts of religion in human societies.
- He sees religion as arising from human needs for meaning and purpose
- Youssef argues religion can provide positive humbling effects but also fuel superiority complexes
- He contends humans would have invented religion even if it didn't exist
Thoughts on TikTok and Social Media (2:26:37)
Youssef discusses the pros and cons of platforms like TikTok compared to traditional media.
- He sees value in individuals being able to challenge mainstream narratives
- Youssef acknowledges the dopamine-driven nature of social media can lead to exaggeration
- He avoids using TikTok himself due to its addictive nature
Views on Joe Rogan (2:31:10)
Youssef expresses admiration for Joe Rogan's comedy club and podcast.
- He praises Rogan for creating opportunities for comedians
- Youssef sees value in long-form conversations that explore different experiences
Thoughts on US Politics (2:33:07)
Youssef shares his perspective on the current state of American politics.
- He expresses dismay at the advanced age of top presidential candidates
- Youssef criticizes the influence of money in politics, particularly pro-Israel lobbying
- He argues for term limits for members of Congress
Reflections on Putin and Navalny (2:37:33)
Youssef comments on recent events in Russia, including the death of Alexei Navalny.
- He sees Putin's actions as reminiscent of medieval political intrigues
- Youssef argues similar machinations happen in Western countries but are less overt
Thoughts on War and Human Nature (2:39:21)
Youssef reflects on whether war and conflict are inevitable parts of human existence.
- He believes war will always exist but worries about increasing lethality of weapons
- Youssef expresses concern about religious extremists pushing for apocalyptic scenarios
Sources of Hope (2:44:17)
Despite his often dark view of current events, Youssef sees reasons for optimism about the future.
- He has hope in younger generations using technology to challenge power structures
- Youssef sees the Arab Spring as part of a long-term process of change
- He believes increased dialogue and awareness can lead to positive developments
Conclusion
Bassem Youssef offers a unique perspective as someone who has challenged power through comedy in both the Middle East and United States. He provides a critical view of Israel's actions while acknowledging the complexity of the situation. Youssef reflects on the power of satire and free speech, even in authoritarian contexts. While expressing concern about many aspects of current politics and media, he ultimately sees hope in younger generations using new technologies to drive change. Youssef's journey from heart surgeon to political satirist to American comedian showcases the unpredictable paths that can emerge when one is willing to take risks and speak truth to power.