Bernard-Henri Lévy is a French philosopher, filmmaker, activist, and writer who has become one of the most influential public intellectuals in Europe. He is widely known for his controversial views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, his support for the 2003 Iraq War, and his support for French intervention in Libya in 2011.
Born in 1948 in Béni Saf, Algeria, Lévy grew up in a secular Jewish family. His parents had a strong commitment to human rights and progressive values, which shaped his own views. He attended the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he studied philosophy.
In 1972, Lévy published his first book, Barbarism with a Human Face, which quickly became a bestseller and established him as a major philosophical voice. In the book, he criticized the authoritarian left and argued against the illusion of a revolutionary utopia.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Lévy became increasingly involved in politics, writing articles and giving speeches about the French-Algerian war and other issues. He was also a major supporter of President Mitterrand and the Socialist Party.
In the 1990s, Lévy published several books, including Who Killed Daniel Pearl?, which explored the circumstances of the journalist's death. He also wrote The Genius of Judaism, which argued for a re-examination of the Jewish faith.
Lévy has become increasingly vocal in his support for Israel and his criticism of the Palestinian Authority. He also strongly supported the 2003 Iraq War and French intervention in Libya in 2011.
In recent years, Lévy has also become a filmmaker, producing and directing several documentaries. His most recent film, The Oath of Tobruk, explored the Arab Spring and the civil war in Libya. He also directed the documentary, The Battle of Mosul, which explored the fight against ISIS in Iraq.
In addition to his writing and filmmaking, Lévy has also become a vocal advocate for refugees and immigrants and has been an outspoken critic of the rise of nationalism in Europe.
Bernard-Henri Lévy's work has earned him numerous awards and honors, including the French Legion of Honor and the Saudi Medal of Merit. He is one of the most prominent public intellectuals in Europe and has been praised for his courage and commitment to justice and freedom.
Birthday
Nov. 5, 1948