Bassem Youssef’s SA tour – an unfunny development

The invitation of Bassem Youssef by Gift of the Givers to perform in South Africa raised significant questions about the non-governmental organisation’s (NGO’s) motives. Was this an endorsement of his views, or an attempt to leverage his popularity to further an agenda?

Given that Youssef has openly said he wears accusations of antisemitism almost “like a badge of honour”, observers had to ponder whether this invitation signalled a shift in the NGO’s focus from humanitarian aid to political activism, potentially at the expense of fostering understanding and peace.

Youssef is an Egyptian comedian who rose to prominence during the Arab Spring in 2011. Often dubbed the “Jon Stewart of the Arab world”, Youssef hosted a satirical show that critiqued Egypt’s political establishment. His humour led to legal challenges, censorship, and eventual exile from Egypt. Now based abroad, Youssef positions himself as a critic of authoritarianism and Western foreign policy, more often than not focusing on Israeli-Palestinian issues.

For many Jewish and Zionist observers, Youssef’s rhetoric reflects a broader trend of antisemitism masquerading as anti-Zionism. His South Africa tour raised alarms about normalising harmful stereotypes under the guise of comedy or activism. Some argue that though legitimate criticism of Israel is, of course, acceptable, Youssef’s approach, steeped in conspiracy, historical inaccuracy, and incendiary analogies, fuels like hatred rather than dialogue.

Youssef’s past comedy and comments aren’t just edgy, they are downright alarming. Take his appearance on the PBD Podcast, where he floated a bizarre conspiracy theory, claiming that Israel kidnapped Yemeni Jewish children in the 1950s to “manipulate Semitic DNA” and build its population. Not only was this a gross distortion of the real-life Yemenite Children Affair – a tragic chapter of historical neglect – it dredged up antisemitic myths about Jewish control and deception. He even threw in the lie that DNA testing was illegal in Israel. Spoiler: It isn’t. Privacy restrictions exist, but that’s hardly the same thing. Why stick to facts when a juicy conspiracy grabs more attention?

Then there was his appearance on Theo Von’s podcast. When asked whether media was mostly run by Jews, Youssef casually replied, “It is.” That isn’t satire, it’s a recycling of the oldest, deadliest antisemitic trope in the book – the idea that Jews secretly pull the strings of global power. This isn’t just offensive; it’s dangerous. History has shown where that kind of rhetoric leads.

Youssef’s takes on Israel often spiral into moral grandstanding. On Piers Morgan’s show, he accused Israel of “corrupting the West morally for 100 years”. Critics noted that Israel was only 76 years old. Was he bending timelines to fit a narrative? It came across as a cheap shot that swapped facts for inflammatory soundbites.

Youssef has repeatedly compared Israel’s actions to Nazi Germany, including during interviews with Lex Fridman and Piers Morgan. Equating the Holocaust, a systematic genocide of six million Jews, to modern geopolitical conflicts isn’t just inaccurate, it’s a slap in the face to survivors and their descendants.

His habit of downplaying Hamas’s atrocities, like the 7 October attacks, which Hamas itself documented and celebrated, also drew condemnation. Dismissing these horrors isn’t scepticism; it’s denialism, plain and simple. It shouldn’t be forgotten that the Holocaust didn’t start with gas chambers and death marches, it started with words and exclusions.

South Africa, of all places, should know better. This is a nation still healing from apartheid, one that has fought hard for reconciliation. Bringing in a figure who traffics in harmful stereotypes, especially about a conflict as fraught as the Israeli-Palestinian one, risks reopening old wounds. Instead of fostering understanding, it could fan the flames of division.

Free speech matters, but as a public figure with a platform, Youssef’s words carry weight. His rhetoric isn’t just critical of Israel, it leans into tropes that have fuelled hatred for centuries. South Africa deserves better than a sideshow that reduces one of the world’s most complex issues to cheap, dehumanising jokes. Many now hope that Gift of the Givers remember what its mission really is.

• Joy Theron is an animal activist and political realist. Raised in KwaZulu-Natal and living in Gauteng, she believes that by gathering all the facts and engaging in thoughtful dialogue, we can foster a more informed and empathetic society.