On October 7, a provocative satirical song titled ‘Bibi’s Trial’ was released by Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef and Sudanese filmmaker Amjad Al-Nour, who also works as a journalist for Al Jazeera. The song, which targets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the international handling of his alleged crimes against humanity, quickly gained traction on social media, amassing hundreds of thousands of likes. The release date of the song was intentional, marking a year since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which led to Israel’s devastating military escalation in Gaza.
The song presents a fictional International Criminal Court (ICC) trial in which Netanyahu is the defendant, with Youssef playing the role of the presiding judge. In a dramatic moment, Youssef delivers a guilty verdict against Netanyahu, highlighting the crimes committed in Gaza. However, the satirical twist comes when a US lawyer, played by Al-Nour, hijacks the trial. Through slick manipulation, the lawyer convinces the jury and the audience to side with Netanyahu, turning the courtroom into a mockery of justice.
The song’s lyrics critique the role of the United States in shielding Israel from accountability, emphasizing how American influence often supersedes international law. The scene unfolds with the courtroom turning into a circus of American flags and dancing puppets, symbolizing the political manipulation by the US to protect Netanyahu and Israel from facing justice for its actions.
Produced by Ali Shehata and Yousef Al-Shemari and directed by Bassel Nasser, ‘Bibi’s Trial’ has been widely discussed across platforms like YouTube, where the music video is currently trending. Although the song is not yet available on music streaming services such as Spotify, its viral success demonstrates its resonance with viewers globally.
The song comes against the grim backdrop of Israel’s continued military offensive on Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, the ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of over 41,909 Palestinians, injured more than 97,000, and destroyed 87,000 homes. Furthermore, the region’s hospitals are struggling, with 114 now inoperative. Gaza faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, as nearly the entire population is displaced, with critical shortages of food, medicine, and supplies due to Israel’s blockade.
‘Bibi’s Trial’ is a powerful and timely reminder of the political dynamics shaping global discourse on the Israel-Palestine conflict, using humor and satire to shed light on complex international relations.
