Tech magnate Elon Musk met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting a kibbutz targeted by Palestinian gunmen in an October 7 attack. Musk expressed support for Israel’s actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing truce.
The visit coincides with Musk’s recent controversy for endorsing an anti-Semitic social media post. After touring the affected Kfar Aza kibbutz with Netanyahu, Musk discussed the situation, describing it as “jarring” and asserting that Israel has “no choice” but to eliminate Hamas.
While in Israel, Musk is set to meet with President Isaac Herzog to address the rising issue of online anti-Semitism. Critics argue that Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter), has seen a surge in hate speech and anti-Semitic content.
Musk’s arrival also coincided with Israel announcing a tentative agreement to use SpaceX’s Starlink communications channel in Gaza. This marks a significant shift, considering past concerns about potential misuse by Hamas for “terrorist activities.”
Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi confirmed the agreement in principle, allowing Starlink satellite units to operate in Israel, including the Gaza Strip, subject to approval from the Israeli Ministry of Communications.
In an X post to Musk, Karhi expressed hope that Musk’s visit would pave the way for future collaborations and strengthen the relationship with the Jewish people. X has played a crucial role in sharing information and perspectives on the Gaza conflict, but critics argue that it has also amplified misinformation and hateful content, including anti-Semitism.
