KARACHI: Social media platform X has deactivated the account of Egyptian-American comedian Bassem Youssef, Dawn.com reported.

His official account, @BYoussef, now reads “This account doesn’t exist.”

In a post on his Instagram account, Mr Youssef stated that he was not sure if or when his account would be restored. He cautioned his followers that any other account posing as him on the platform was fake.

“I am here on Instagram and Facebook … I don’t wish to make any media statements or interviews about that now,” the comedian said. The state of Israel’s official X account posted a screenshot of Mr Youssef’s suspended account with a caption “bye”.

The comedian has been one of the most vociferous critics of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza.

While the reason for the removal of his account — with nearly 12 million followers — was unknown, it disappeared a day after Mr Youssef posted about using antisemitism as a “fear tactic”.

“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,” he wrote in the post.

“It’s been overused and abused in order to intimidate people. Are you still scared to be called an antisemite by those Zionist? Vote and tell me in the comments. No, I don’t give a […] anymore. Or: Yes I’m still scared.”

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2024