Libya bans Jewish philosopher

Tripoli Municipality refuses to let Bernard-Henri Levy join Sarkozy entourage because he is Jewish

Lior Zilberstein|Published: 03.21.13 , 14:24

PARIS – He was one of the first people to call for a military operation in Libya, standing by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy as the latter worked to free the Libyan people from Muammar Gaddafi, yet Libya has decided to ban Jewish philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy from entering the country.

Sarkozy embarked on a visit to Libya this week to mark the second anniversary of the start of the French intervention in favor of the Libyan rebels. Levy, who is considered to have greatly affected Sarkozy's decision to stand by the rebels, asked to join the former president's entourage.

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According to news website Rue89, Levy will not be joining the trip due to the Tripoli municipality's refusal to host him. The reason for the refusal, the website said, was the fact that Levy is Jewish. Municipality officials fear that armed Islamic militias will respond to the visit with violence.

A source close to Levy told the website that Sarkozy had considered cancelling the trip over the French philosopher's boycott, but that Levy had convinced him to travel.

"Our Muslim friends were in a delicate situation as they must pay attention to the Islamists," Levy's associate said.

A senior Tripoli Municipality official said in regards to Levy, "We did not invite him. If he comes, we'll close the door in his face. If the prime minister invited him, he should go to him."