Netanyahu Backs Elon Musk Amid Controversy Over Holocaust Remarks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended tech mogul Elon Musk amid rising controversy over Musk’s recent Holocaust jokes and accusations of delivering Nazi salutes. Netanyahu called Musk “a great friend of Israel” and praised his support for Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Netanyahu’s defense came through a post on Musk’s platform, X, where he highlighted Musk’s advocacy for “Israel’s right to defend itself against genocidal terrorists.” This public endorsement, however, was quickly overshadowed by Musk’s own posts mocking critics with wordplay referencing prominent Nazi figures.

In a post laden with puns, Musk wrote, “Don’t say Hess to Nazi accusations! Some people will Goebbels anything down! Stop Gőring your enemies!” adding laughing emojis to punctuate his remarks. These comments drew swift condemnation from Jewish organizations and leaders worldwide.

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), criticized Musk’s comments as offensive and trivializing the Holocaust. “The Holocaust was a singularly evil event, and it is inappropriate and offensive to make light of it,” Greenblatt wrote. His stance was echoed by Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, who emphasized that “wordplay about Nazis isn’t funny” and warned of its dangers in normalizing harmful rhetoric.

The controversy follows Musk’s appearance at a rally where he made arm gestures many interpreted as Nazi salutes. While the ADL initially characterized the gestures as “awkward enthusiasm,” criticism of Musk has intensified as right-wing extremists reportedly embraced the incident.

Netanyahu’s support for Musk comes as the Israeli leader navigates political challenges, including backlash over a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Musk, who has collaborated with Netanyahu on issues like artificial intelligence and visited Israel after the October attacks, has been a vocal supporter of Israel’s right to self-defense.

The fallout from Musk’s remarks has been widespread, with protests against him erupting in Europe and criticism mounting from Jewish and non-Jewish communities alike. Some observers argue that Musk’s behavior has provided fodder for extremists while alienating those fighting antisemitism on both ends of the political spectrum.

Despite the uproar, Musk remains a divisive figure. His defenders argue that his remarks are being misinterpreted, while critics emphasize the real-world harm caused by trivializing the Holocaust. The situation highlights the broader challenge of combating antisemitism in a polarized world, both online and offline.

Israel remains steadfast in its commitment to combating hatred and securing a future of dignity for all. Share this article to amplify the conversation and subscribe to our newsletter for updates on this and other key issues.