Algerian-French writer Boualem Sansal stated that his support for Israel was the real reason behind his arrest and imprisonment in Algeria, emphasizing that he refused to censor himself or back down from his positions.
According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan), this came in an exclusive interview Sansal gave to the “International Hour” program on Kan Reshet Bet radio, months after his release from prison in Algeria.
He said, “I started to feel better, but when a person is released from a prison like that, they remain broken for a long time, both psychologically and physically.”
Sansal addressed a message to the Israelis, saying: “Continue to be brave as you always have been. I want to tell them that I am not the only one who feels friendship towards this country and its people. Many think the same way, but they do not have the courage to say it out loud.”
He added: “Algeria is a dictatorship, and the prisons there are terrible places. At my age, and weakened by illness, I couldn’t have endured much longer. I was released at the last minute.”
According to a report by the broadcasting authority, Sansal claimed that Algerian authorities had threatened, censored, and dismissed him from his job for years, but had never arrested him.
He added that he had expected to be arrested after his visit to Israel in 2012, but this did not happen under former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
He continued: “Bouteflika was a smart man; he understood that arresting me would spark a global wave of protests against him, so he hesitated. The current regime, headed by Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has chosen the path of intimidation. Since coming to power in 2019, it has ruled with fear and repression, arresting thousands of people, and I was one of those victims.”
Sansal asserted that his support for Israel was the root cause of his ordeal, stating, “My friendship with Israel is, in fact, the deepest reason for everything the regime did to me. This was intolerable for the president, especially since I expressed my support for Israel on every occasion. As someone who fights for freedom of expression, I refused to censor myself or be intimidated. The regime feared that I would become a role model for others.”
He also addressed the October 7, 2013, attack, saying, “It is one of the greatest atrocities in history, and the hostage-taking was a horrific act. Those responsible must be found and punished.”
He added, “But that is not enough. Those who allowed these atrocities to happen must also be punished: Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Algeria was not directly involved, but it supports these entities.”
Regarding the possibility of his return to Algeria or a visit to Israel, he said: “In principle, I want to return to Algeria. I demand a retrial in the presence of my lawyers and international observers. I have said before that if I am not allowed to return to Algeria for a fair and genuine trial, I will sue President Tebboune before an international court. As for Israel, I would be happy to visit it, and I am already discussing this with Israeli friends.”
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