Sophia Aram on the Hamas attack in Israel: “I find the silence of artists distressing”

2023-10-13 20:06:28

Cash and angry. Sophia Aram does not mince her words. In his column of October 9, the France Inter comedian had already vilified a part of the far left, who refused to qualify Hamas as a “terrorist organization,” following the attacks against Israel. The columnist, who is currently performing her show “The World After” at the Champs-Elysées studio, shares with us her indignation at the reluctance in speaking out on the part of cultural actors.

What does the silence of artists inspire you after the Hamas attack in Israel?

SOPHIA ARAM. I find this silence distressing. Let’s be clear, no one is obliged to react to everything and give their opinion on everything. There is no obligation to compassion. But when we count the number of artists ready to be indignant about anything and everything, to embrace any stupid cause and jump on any indignation, this silence after the pogrom organized and implemented on Saturday latest by Hamas in Israel is disgusting. We know this silence, it is the same as at the time of the death of Samuel Paty, of Ozar Hatorah (attack on the Jewish school in Toulouse in 2012) or the assassination attempt on Salman Rushdie. A silence is required when political Islam and radical Islam are at stake.

In your opinion, why do we observe such reluctance to react on the part of those involved in the world of culture?

There are two hypotheses. Either they are afraid, or they are sparing part of their audience. I think we must keep both hypotheses in mind. They are small shopkeepers and cowards. They only engage in easy causes and without any danger or risk. What honor is there in shouting one’s “rebelliousness” against “power” and denouncing an imaginary “dictatorship” when one is not capable of naming a terrorist organization?

Does this silence shock you? Do you understand it?

There is nothing to understand or excuse. It is this silence that killed the editorial staff of Charlie Hebdo and Samuel Paty. And when no one takes responsibility, those who open it often find themselves alone, designated and targeted by those who buy a good conscience at little cost. It is time to clearly identify those who must be fought and to understand that we will not stop political Islam and radical Islam through silence and avoidance.