As accusations of anti-Semitism at X mount, Musk visits Israel

Billionaire and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured the Kibbutz of Kfar Aza, a rural settlement that was attacked by Hamas militants on October 7.

During a surprise attack in Israel, militants killed about 1.2 thousand. people, mostly civilians, and about 240 hostages were also taken, according to the Jewish state.

In response to this deadliest attack in the country’s history, Israel launched an offensive in the Gaza Strip to destroy Hamas. According to the Hamas government in Gaza, almost 15,000 Palestinians have died in this Palestinian territory. people, mostly civilians.

Musk, wearing a protective vest and accompanied by security guards, took pictures and video of the devastation on his phone in the pouring rain, according to a video released by Netanyahu’s office.

The Tesla CEO and Israel’s prime minister visited the homes of some of the victims, including the family of Abigail Edan, a four-year-old girl with dual Israeli-US citizenship. Her parents were killed and she was held hostage by Hamas. The girl was released on Sunday in the latest round of exchanges under a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

VIDEO: After the anti-Semitic accusations of “X”, E. Musk visited Israel: the hot topic was avoided

“It was horrifying to see the scene of the massacre,” Musk said later in a conversation with Netanyahu. He said he was disturbed by the videos and photos the prime minister showed him of the killings of civilians, including children.

The two talked about the conflict, the protests it sparked, Hamas, the Middle East and other topics, but did not touch on the subject of online anti-Semitism. Netanyahu said he hoped Musk would be involved in building a better future, and the billionaire replied: “I’d love to help.”

Musk is also scheduled to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Benny Gantz, the former defense minister who is now part of Israel’s wartime cabinet.

Government spokesman Eilon Levy refused to specify whether E. Musk was invited or came on his own initiative. X did not respond to a request for comment.

Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi told X earlier Monday about the deal his ministry made with Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink.

“Due to this important agreement, Starlink satellite facilities in Israel, as well as in the Gaza Strip, can only be used with the permission of the Israeli Ministry of Communications,” the minister wrote, but did not elaborate.

Musk has come under fire recently for what critics say has been a surge in hate speech since he bought X.

The White House also accused the tech mogul of fueling anti-Semitism after he backed a conspiracy theory that Jews are trying to weaken the white majority.

I. Herzog’s office indicated that the relatives of the hostages held by the Palestinian militant group “Hamas” will also participate in the meeting with E. Musk.

“During the meeting, the president will emphasize the need to take action to combat growing anti-Semitism online,” the president’s office said.

In September, Israel’s prime minister called on Musk to fight anti-Semitism at X. He called for finding a way to end not only anti-Semitism, but all forms of collective hatred.

The richest man in the world E. Musk said at that time that he cannot stop all hate speech on the social network before it is published, but he said that he personally does not approve of it.

Earlier this month, Musk’s X Corporation sued the nonprofit Media Matters for portraying the social network X as a platform full of anti-Semitic content.

He also threatened to file a lawsuit against the Anti-Defamation League, a civil rights group, over its claims that there has been a sharp increase in problematic and racist speech since Musk took over the X platform. .