Egyptian-American comedian and television host Bassem Youssef has deactivated his account on X, formerly known as Twitter, citing safety concerns following his outspoken posts about the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In his final message to his nearly 12 million followers, Youssef expressed his concerns, stating, "Antisemitism was once a term that struck fear into people's hearts. But now, many are recognizing how it’s being used as a tactic to silence conversations and intimidate people." He questioned whether people still feared being labeled as antisemitic by what he referred to as "Zionists" and asked for his followers' opinions.

Initially, fans speculated that Youssef's account had been banned due to his critical posts, which highlighted how accusations of antisemitism are often employed to divert attention from discussions about Israel's military actions in Gaza. However, Youssef later clarified on Instagram that his account had not been banned, and he was not trying to falsely portray himself as a victim. He explained, "When the safety issues concerning my loved ones are resolved, I may consider returning. I want to handle this matter privately, away from media attention. I will continue to share my content on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook."

Youssef also reacted to a screenshot showing Israel’s official account celebrating his departure from X, responding with, “How fragile can you be when the official account of your country acts like a child?”

Youssef has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. He gained widespread attention last year during his interviews with British talk show host Piers Morgan, where he used his sharp, dark humor to bring attention to the suffering of Palestinians and the rise of Islamophobia. In an interview with BBC Hardtalk, Youssef reflected

on the challenges he’s faced, saying, “I left Egypt because I couldn’t speak freely and came to America, the land of the free. But here, when you talk about certain issues, you’re accused of all sorts of things.”

He also noted the stark contrast in reactions when criticizing different states, pointing out that speaking against Saudi Arabia or other Arab nations doesn’t result in accusations of Islamophobia.

Bassem Youssef, originally a heart surgeon, was forced to flee Egypt in 2014 after his satirical show, "al-Bernameg," mocked President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who took power after a military coup. Youssef’s show attracted around 40 million viewers and drew comparisons to American comedian Jon Stewart.

Youssef’s wife, Hala Diab, is of Egyptian-Palestinian descent, and he has often voiced concerns about her family's safety in Gaza. According to the UN, the "only certainty" for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents is that there is no escape from the ongoing Israeli attacks. The Palestinian health ministry reports that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began on October 7.