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Bassem Yakhour Reflects on Political Regret and Public Response
During his appearance on the Al Arabiya program “Controversial,” Bassem Yakhour candidly expressed regret over his past political statements. He acknowledged that his words had caused hurt to many, including those in his inner circle.
He remarked, “Today, I genuinely wish I had refrained from politicizing my interviews. It would have been far better had I chosen not to discuss politics at all.”
Bassem Yakhour on Al Arabiya YouTube channel
After an extended absence, Bassem returned to Damascus, stating, “It is essential for me to remain connected with Damascus.” He shared that his latest visit felt different due to a sense of apprehension, even about catching the flu. Engaging in conversations with locals in Syria was his primary motivation for returning, and he dismissed the significance of social media commentary, referring to it as filled with “uncertainties and controversies.”
In an emotional moment, Bassem apologized to anyone who felt hurt by his remarks, saying, “To anyone who feels I’ve caused them pain with my words, I sincerely apologize.” He acknowledged the necessity of saying this.
Bassem disclosed that he has faced intense backlash, revealing, “I’ve been subjected to an extraordinary wave of hostility… with threats to my life and my family’s safety.” The attacks escalated beyond mere political dissent.
He emphasized accountability for his political statements while rejecting fabricated claims, stating, “No one has the right to invent false narratives about me, such as unfounded accusations of serious crimes.”
He further mentioned a controversial phrase, “Potato, all potato,” which stirred significant debate on social media. Attributed to comments he made alongside fellow artist Abed Fahd, many assumed it was directed as a critique towards artists or officials.
Bassem clarified, “This video surfaced two years ago while I was at the Habtoor Hotel in Lebanon. I intended to gauge its controversial impact.” He added, “The phrase was meant for one of my series, but people misinterpreted it as an attack, which is completely incorrect.”
In closing, Bassem Yakhour emphasized the significance of conveying his messages through art. He shared, “I wish I had focused on expressing myself through my artistic works that reflect humane, cultural, and intellectual themes…” “That would have aligned more with my values.”
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