Israeli Prime Minister Defends Elon Musk Against Criticism
Netanyahu Calls Accusations of Anti-Semitism “Falsely Smeared”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come to the defense of billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, saying that the accusations of anti-Semitism against him are “falsely smeared”. This comes after Musk made a gesture at Donald Trump’s inauguration that critics described as a Nazi salute.
Musk’s Support for Israel
Netanyahu took to social media to praise Musk, posting on X, the social media site owned by Musk, that “Elon is a great friend of Israel”. He also highlighted Musk’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself against “genocidal terrorists and regimes who seek to annihilate the one and only Jewish state”. Netanyahu mentioned Musk’s visit to Israel in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, as well as a separate row in which the Tesla chief executive was accused of anti-Semitism.
Previous Controversy
At the time, Musk had endorsed a post accusing Jewish people of “hatred against whites”, calling it “the actual truth”. He later apologised for his comments. However, his social media platform has been accused of spreading anti-Semitism and other forms of racism since he took it over in 2022.
Musk’s Response
Musk himself has already dismissed the criticism over his inauguration gesture, posting on X: “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.” Musk has also toured a kibbutz attacked by Hamas alongside Netanyahu and met Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who told him he had “a huge role to play” in combating anti-Semitism.
Background on the Controversy
The controversy surrounding Musk’s inauguration gesture began when he raised his arm in a way that critics described as a Nazi salute. Musk has since denied any intentional wrongdoing, stating that he was simply waving goodbye to the audience. However, many have interpreted the gesture as a nod to the Nazi Party’s infamous salute, which was used to intimidate and terrorize Jews and other minority groups during World War II.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come to the defense of Elon Musk, saying that the accusations of anti-Semitism against him are “falsely smeared”. While some have criticized Musk’s past comments and actions, Netanyahu believes that the billionaire tech mogul is a friend of Israel and has consistently supported the country’s right to defend itself. As the debate surrounding Musk’s inauguration gesture continues, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to overcome the backlash and continue to be a respected figure in the tech industry.
FAQs
Q: What did Elon Musk do at Donald Trump’s inauguration?
A: Musk raised his arm in a way that critics described as a Nazi salute.
Q: Did Musk intentionally mean to make a Nazi salute?
A: Musk has denied any intentional wrongdoing, stating that he was simply waving goodbye to the audience.
Q: Has Elon Musk been accused of anti-Semitism before?
A: Yes, Musk has been accused of anti-Semitism in the past, including for endorsing a post accusing Jewish people of “hatred against whites”.
Q: What is the Israeli Prime Minister’s stance on the controversy?
A: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come to the defense of Elon Musk, saying that the accusations of anti-Semitism against him are “falsely smeared”.