In a laid-back interview in November 2025 with Cenk Uygur, founder of the staunchly pro-Palestinian online news show The Young Turks, Bassem Youssef, the Egyptian American comedian and former physician who’s become an influencer with millions of followers, was not the Bassem we’re used to watching attentively. The normally sharp-tongued Bassem almost always shocks his interlocutors – particularly those who whitewash the genocide – with facts, confidence, smiles, and of course, humor; often dark. With Cenk, he was upbeat alright, but he totally lacked the confidence of the argument. He appeared more than concerned; he was afraid that things weren’t going well. He even clearly stated that “all is lost” and that with resources, media, political influence, and schemes, our opponents will most certainly win the ultimate battle. Eventually, we will be denied the freedom to publicly express our views and support for Palestine on social media, he claimed. I’m not sure how he feels today, but that day, Bassem had thrown in the towel.
No, Dr. Youssef, all is certainly not lost. It is our opponents who are the Don Quixotes of today, fighting the wind. No amount of money or influence will ever cleanse and exonerate the perpetrators of the genocide, and the good people of the world know this. Palestine has become an idea and a synonym for injustice. Ideas never die. It has also become a global symbol of – and a call for – freedom and liberation for all. It’s not over yet, but the course is set and there is no turning back. No, ya Bassem, you just have to be a bit more patient to reap the benefits of the flood which, in fact, is changing the world.
Electing Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City is nothing but a sign of the type of new leaders emerging particularly in the West. I expect the upcoming November elections in the US will be a turning point. The polls being conducted in the US clearly show a change in the tide, even in conservative circles. Even Trump admitted that in the past, one bad word about Israel would end your career; now one good word on Israel and your career is done. An exaggeration I know, but it’s another sign of the changing times. The shift, albeit slow, of economic and even military power from the West to the East, with the emergence of BRICS, can only help Palestinians and other oppressed peoples of the world to achieve their goal of liberation. The list is long: major things are most certainly happening around the world. So patience, ya Bassem, patience!
Of course I had to post a comment under the talk-show interview video in which I advised Bassem to stay away from the media until his condition improves!
Publisher
Sani Meo
