California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that he has “long supported the state of Israel,” but believes Israel could turn into an apartheid state if it goes ahead with annexing the West Bank under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during an interview with Axios on Tuesday.
He clarified that he does not view Israel as currently being an apartheid state, but expressed his concerns about Netanyahu’s recent actions.
“My red flag is Bibi Netanyahu, period, full stop. And his opposition to the two-state solution,” he said.
“How he is navigating his own domestic politics, as it relates to placating the far right, thus the annexation concerns, how he’s influencing events that are now out of our control,” he elaborated. He added that he feels anxious about the circumstances in southern Lebanon and Gaza, as well as regarding the Board of Peace’s implementation.
“And I say that as a guy who visited Bibi right after October 7 because of my relationship with the Jewish community here and with the people of Israel,” he concluded by stating his enduring support for Israel.
California Governor Gavin Newsom attends a press conference during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), in Belem, Brazil, November 11, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/ADRIANO MACHADO)
Newsom’s recent remarks on Israel
Newsom also discussed Israel back in March during an interview for “Pod Save America,” where he suggested that Israel’s perceived influence over U. S. strikes in Iran was “pretty damn self-evident.”
“The issue of Bibi is interesting because he’s got his own domestic issues. He’s trying to stay out of jail; he’s got an election coming up; he’s potentially on the ropes; he’s got folks from the hard line who want to annex the West Bank,” Newsom noted in March, adding that “others are discussing it appropriately as sort of an apartheid state.”
Later that month, Newsom mentioned to Politico that he intended to echo a New York Times by Thomas Friedman warning about potential apartheid in Israel’s future. Importantly, he did not claim that current conditions were akin to apartheid.
While not directly addressing whether he sees himself as a Zionist, Newsom highlighted that his objections were directed at Netanyahu’s government rather than at Israel itself.
“I revere the state of Israel. I’m proud to support the state of Israel,” he stated.
“I deeply oppose Bibi Netanyahu’s leadership and his stance against a two-state solution and strongly oppose how he’s catering to far-right elements concerning what is happening in the West Bank.”
Grace Gilson/JTA and Philissa Cramer/JTA contributed to this report.
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