Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come to the defense of Elon Musk, describing the billionaire tech mogul as being “falsely smeared” amid a controversy over a gesture he made during Donald Trump’s inauguration. Critics had accused Musk of performing a Nazi salute during the event, a claim that has sparked heated debates.
Netanyahu, a long-time ally of Musk, posted on X (the social media platform owned by Musk) to clear the air, stating, “Elon is a great friend of Israel.” He further emphasized Musk’s strong support for Israel, highlighting the billionaire’s stance on defending the Jewish state. “He has repeatedly and forcefully supported Israel’s right to defend itself against genocidal terrorists and regimes who seek to annihilate the one and only Jewish state,” Netanyahu added.
Musk’s Continued Support for Israel
Netanyahu’s remarks also referenced Musk’s visit to Israel following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The visit came on the heels of Musk’s previous controversy over an anti-Semitic post he had endorsed. At the time, Elon Musk had shared a post accusing Jewish people of “hatred against whites,” a statement for which he later apologised.
Thank you https://t.co/onSO3PY9CA
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 23, 2025
Despite this past issue, Netanyahu pointed to Musk’s actions as proof of his continued commitment to Israel, including his visit to a kibbutz attacked by Hamas in November 2023. During the visit, Musk toured the area with Netanyahu and met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who praised Musk’s role in combating anti-Semitism.
Musk Responds to Criticism
Musk has dismissed the accusations surrounding his inauguration gesture, calling the criticism “tired.” He posted on X, “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” signaling his frustration with the continued allegations.
While Musk’s social media platform, X, has faced accusations of spreading anti-Semitism since Musk took over in 2022, Netanyahu’s defense of the billionaire highlights their strong relationship and Musk’s ongoing support for Israel amidst a volatile political landscape.
