Newsom warns West Bank annexation under Netanyahu could lead Israel to apartheid

California Governor Gavin Newsom stated he has long supported Israel but fears the nation could become an apartheid state if it annexes the West Bank under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. In an interview with Axios, Newsom emphasized that while he does not currently consider Israel an apartheid state, Netanyahu's actions over the past few years are a significant cause for concern.

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My red flag is Bibi Netanyahu, period, full stop. And his opposition to the two-state solution.

"My red flag is Bibi Netanyahu, period, full stop. And his opposition to the two-state solution," Newsom declared. He elaborated on his worries, pointing to how Netanyahu navigates domestic politics to placate the far-right, leading to annexation concerns. Newsom also expressed apprehension about Netanyahu's influence on events that are now beyond control, specifically mentioning the situation in southern Lebanon, Gaza, and the implementation of the Board of Peace.

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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.

Newsom recalled visiting Netanyahu shortly after October 7, highlighting his relationship with the Jewish community and the people of Israel as a basis for his engagement. He reiterated his strong support for the State of Israel, stating, "I revere the state of Israel. I’m proud to support the state of Israel."

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And I say that as a guy who visited Bibi, right after October 7, because of the relationship that I have with the Jewish community here and with the people of Israel.

This is not the first time Newsom has spoken critically about Israeli policy. In March, during an interview for "Pod Save America," he suggested that Israel's alleged influence over U.S. strikes in Iran was "pretty damn self-evident." He also commented on Netanyahu's domestic challenges, including legal issues and an upcoming election, and how these factors might influence decisions regarding the West Bank annexation. Newsom later clarified to Politico that his remarks were intended to echo a New York Times column by Thomas Friedman, which warned of Israel potentially heading toward apartheid, and that he was not stating Israel's current conditions were similar to apartheid.

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I revere the state of Israel. I’m proud to support the state of Israel.