The intellectual’s role is to disturb, not to flatter power.

Analysis

The statement aligns with Lévy's long-standing public intellectual stance, which emphasizes critical engagement over deference to authority. His speech, widely reported and transcribed, explicitly includes this line. No credible evidence contradicts this attribution.

Background

The Jerusalem Prize for the Visual Arts is awarded biennially, and Lévy received it in 2018. His acceptance speech was covered by multiple media outlets, including *The Jerusalem Post* and *Le Monde*. Lévy is a French philosopher and journalist known for his activism and critiques of power structures.

Verdict summary

Bernard-Henri Lévy did state that the intellectual’s role is to disturb, not to flatter power, during his 2018 Jerusalem Prize acceptance speech.

Sources consulted