Bassem Yakhour regrets political statements: "I Wish I Had Stayed Silent"

Al Bawaba

13-07-2025

ALBAWABA - Bassem Yakhour opens up about political regret and public backlash.
"I wish I hadn't spoken politically." During his episode of the Al Arabiya TV show "Controversial," Bassem Yakhour said the phrase to show that he felt bad about talking about politics in the past. He emphasized that his words had hurt many people, even those close to him.
He expressed, "Today, I wish I had never spoken in any of the interviews I've done before... It would have been better if I hadn't said anything about politics.
Bassem Yakhour on Al Arabiya YouTube channel
After being away for a while, Bassem recently went back to Damascus and said, "The natural place where I should be constantly present and in constant contact is Damascus." He also said that even though he goes to Syria every year, this time was different and scary because "I went there somewhat afraid of the flu." He said that talking to people on the street in Syria was the main reason he came back, not the comments on social media, which he called "bound by question marks and controversial."
In a touching statement, Bassem openly apologized to everyone who was hurt by what he said. He said, "I want to say to anyone who is hurt or hurt... if they feel that my words hurt or pain them... I apologize to them, and I tell them I'm sorry." "This is right, and it needs to be said."
Bassem talked about how severe the recent attacks on him were, saying, "I have been subjected to an unprecedented campaign of attacks... death threats and attacks on my family and relatives." The attacks went beyond political criticism.
He said that he is responsible for his political views but that he will not "fabricate accusations." He also said, "No one is entitled to make something up about me that isn't true, like saying that I rape children."
What does "Potato is all potatoes" mean?
On social media, "Potato, all potato" was one of the most controversial phrases. It was considered a jab at some artists or officials, especially after it was shared with comments made by his colleague Abed Fahd.
Bassem explained, "This video came out two years ago. I was at the Habtoor Hotel in Lebanon, and I wanted to make a point and see how controversial it would be." " So I said, 'Potato, all potato,' and everyone takes that meaning the way they want." He said, "I actually intended to use it in one of my series... but people considered it an attack on groups or individuals, and this is completely untrue."
In his final words, Bassem Yakhour stressed how important it was to keep his message alive through art. He said, "I wish I had been content to express my perspective through artistic works that present something humane, artistic, cultural, and intellectual..." "That would have been better."