Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly defended Elon Musk, the tech entrepreneur, amidst a controversy surrounding a gesture Musk made at Donald Trump’s inauguration. Critics have widely condemned the gesture, claiming it resembled a Nazi salute, which ignited strong reactions. Netanyahu, using Musk’s own social media platform X, declared that “Elon is a great friend of Israel,” countering the negative public perception that has arisen from the incident.
Netanyahu continued to emphasize Musk’s ongoing support for Israel, stating that he has “repeatedly and forcefully supported Israel’s right to defend itself against genocidal terrorists and regimes.” This affirmation of Musk’s commitment to Israel is important, especially given his involvement in many global technology and political discussions. The situation began with an image circulating of Musk making the gesture, which many viewed as a harmful symbol associated with Nazi ideology. Although Musk has denied these accusations, the public debate and negative attention has not diminished.
Musk, who also advises Donald Trump on ways to reduce government spending, has become a prominent voice in political and social conversations. Netanyahu’s vocal support for Musk points to the intricate relationships existing between global leaders and influential figures in business and technology. By stating once more, “Elon is a great friend of Israel,” Netanyahu reinforced the close relationship between the two. This situation also highlights the significant role that social media plays in shaping how the public sees events and impacting political conversations.
.@elonmusk is being falsely smeared.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) January 23, 2025
Elon is a great friend of Israel. He visited Israel after the October 7 massacre in which Hamas terrorists committed the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. He has since repeatedly and forcefully supported Israel’s… https://t.co/VkBptanDmp