Merwane Benlazar Dropped from France Télévisions After Backlash Over Appearance and Old Tweets
The humorist faced accusations of promoting Islamist ideology and criticism for past social media posts, leading to his exclusion despite initial plans for a one-time appearance.
- Merwane Benlazar appeared on France 5's 'C à vous' on January 31 as a temporary replacement, delivering a humor segment unrelated to the ensuing controversy.
- Criticism focused on his appearance, including his beard and bonnet, which some commentators labeled as 'salafist,' sparking accusations of religious proselytism.
- Old tweets by Benlazar, interpreted by some as misogynistic or religiously charged, were resurfaced and cited as justification for his exclusion from future appearances.
- Minister of Culture Rachida Dati confirmed that France Télévisions decided Benlazar 'will no longer be on screen,' citing his past tweets as problematic, though his performance on the show was deemed unobjectionable.
- The decision has drawn criticism from left-wing politicians, fellow comedians, and anti-racism organizations, who argue the backlash was driven by racism and Islamophobia.
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