California Governor Gavin Newsom reportedly drew sharp attention Tuesday after delivering pointed criticism of Israel during a promotional event for his book, Young Man in a Hurry. Speaking with moderators Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor, Newsom said he believes it is appropriate to describe Israel as an apartheid state and suggested the United States may eventually need to reconsider its military support for the longtime ally.
The remarks came during a discussion about the future of U.S.-Israel relations and the political trajectory of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Vietor raised the issue by noting that many Democrats have grown increasingly uneasy with Netanyahu’s leadership and the direction of Israeli policy. He suggested that some within the party believe it may be time to reevaluate the United States’ relationship with Israel, particularly when it comes to military assistance.
“A lot of Democrats have looked at the Netanyahu regime and felt like, you know what? We don’t like the trajectory he’s on. It’s time to rethink the U.S. relationship with Israel, especially military support,” Vietor said before asking Newsom directly where he stands on the matter.
Newsom responded by focusing on Netanyahu’s political circumstances and the broader dynamics inside Israel.
“Let’s talk about that. But the issue of Bibi is interesting because he’s got his own domestic issues,” Newsom said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. “He’s trying to stay out of jail, he’s got an election coming up, he’s potentially on the ropes.”
The governor also referenced political figures in Israel who have advocated annexing the West Bank, noting that commentator Thomas Friedman and others have raised concerns about Israel potentially resembling what they call an apartheid state.
“I mean, Friedman and others are talking about it appropriately, sort of an apartheid state,” Newsom said.
During the conversation, Newsom also addressed the broader regional situation, including the growing military tensions that have drawn in the United States.
He suggested that the buildup of American military power in the region made it unsurprising that events escalated. “When you bring two aircraft carriers out there and you assemble the kind of military force that Trump did over the last few weeks, it didn’t surprise me ultimately that they moved that direction,” he said.
Vietor pressed the governor further, asking whether the United States should seriously consider rethinking its military support for Israel moving forward.
Newsom acknowledged that the possibility troubles him but argued that the current leadership in Israel could force the issue.
“It breaks my heart because the current leadership in Israel is walking us down that path, where I don’t think you have a choice but that consideration,” he said.
The governor also questioned whether the conflict aligns with American priorities, particularly given economic concerns at home. He pointed to affordability issues in the United States and criticized what he described as corruption tied to various individuals connected to the conflict.
“To say this is in America’s interest, at a time when affordability is at crisis levels… the fact that we are in this now, regional war, all these proxies,” Newsom said.
Newsom also referenced allegations of financial interests connected to the situation, mentioning what he described as “grift and corruption,” including claims about involvement by members of the Witkoff family, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr.
Israel’s actions in the region have unfolded in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israeli civilians. Since that attack, Israel has destroyed the leadership of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian regime.
Most recently, Israel eliminated longtime Iranian leader Ali Khamenei during the opening hours of a coordinated strike campaign carried out with the United States.
Israel’s response to the October 7 attack has drawn criticism from both progressive activists and some figures on the far right. Critics argue the military operations have led to significant civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip, while supporters maintain the campaign has targeted terrorist leadership responsible for the original attacks.
