Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday defended Telsa CEO Elon Musk as a supporter of Isreal following controversy surrounding an alleged "Nazi salute" made during President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
Writing that "@elonmusk is being falsely smeared," Netanyahu pushed back against claims Musk was showing signs of antisemitic behavior and channeling far-right beliefs.
"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," Netanyahu posted on Musk’s X platform.
While thanking the crowed at Capitol One area on Monday, Musk placed his right hand on his chest and stretched his arm outward, his palm facing the ground. He then turned around and repeated the gesture before placing his hand on his chest again. Musk’s gesture drew immediate rebuke, particularly in Europe where many leaders were quick to call out Musk saying it should "worry every democrat."
"I will start by talking about the response, or perhaps the lack of responses of the EU to Trump’s inauguration. It represents a threat to the whole of the European Union," said French member of the European Parliament Manon Aubry, adding, "Let’s start by keeping things simple, I am sure everyone saw the Nazi salute, I select these words carefully, the Nazi salute of Elon Musk."
Following the criticism, the SpaceX billionaire posted, "The radical leftist are really upset that they had to take time out of their busy praising Hamas to call me a Nazi."
Netanyahu said Musk 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. I thank him for this."
The Anti-Defamation League likewise defended Musk posting in a statement, "It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but once again we appreciate that people are on edge. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead."
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