French philosopher Bernard Henri Levy was expelled from Tunisia Nov. 1—just 24 hours after his arrival in the country. His visit sparked widespread protests, with the UGTT trade union federation accusing him of "inciting anarchy and encouraging civil wars and terrorism in the Arab world." Met with angry demonstrators at the airport, Levy was reported to have spent most of his one day in Tunis sequestered in a hotel under close police protection, while the judiciary launched an investigation into his visit as a "threat to public order." Middle East Online cited "informed sources" as saying that "BHL" was in Tunis to meet with Libyan factions, adding: "Levy is known for maintaining close ties to Libyan Jihadist formations." Al Chourouq newspaper called Levy "the godfather of civil wars," charging: "His visit to Tunis aims at provoking sedition and causing the failure of next presidential elections."
We are heartened by Tunisia's recent turn away from political Islam and towards secular rule, as well as by the evident power of the country's labor unions and political left. If BHL was in Tunis to scheme with Libyan jihadists, we're glad to see him get booted. But the Middle East Online account also states: "He was also taken to task for his unquestioning support to Israel." How does this square with the accusation of scheming with jihadists? And even if BHL is up to his schnozzola in Libyan intrigues, we must warn again against seeing Libya's destabilization as the fruit of a conspiracy by an improbably powerful Jew…
