Algerian-French Author Released After Prison, Urges Israelis to Stay Brave

Algerian-French writer Kamel Daoud, detained in Algiers airport in November 2024 and sentenced to five years for undermining state security, spoke for the first time with Israeli media since his release. His arrest followed statements supporting Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara and France's recognition of it, which Algerian authorities found intolerable. After a year in prison, Daoud was pardoned by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune under international pressure from Germany and France, then released to Germany for medical treatment before returning to France, where he currently resides.

In an interview with Israeli journalist Roy Kais on Kan News, the 76-year-old author described the harsh conditions of Algerian prisons and the lasting physical and psychological damage he endured. He contrasted the current regime under Tebboune, which he called a dictatorship ruling through fear and repression since 2019, with the previous presidency of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who refrained from arresting him despite his critical views and a 2012 visit to Israel.

Daoud asserted that his open support for Israel was the real reason for his imprisonment, as the Algerian regime feared he would become a role model for others. He also indirectly criticized Algeria for supporting groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, which he blamed for enabling the October 7 attacks, calling for accountability for those responsible and their backers.

Addressing Israelis, Daoud encouraged them to "continue being brave," emphasizing that many share his friendship toward Israel but lack the courage to express it openly. When asked about returning to Algeria, he said he demands a fair retrial with international observers and legal representation, and if denied, he plans to sue President Tebboune internationally. He expressed willingness to visit Israel, considering it a second home.