Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly dismissed claims that Elon Musk performed a Sieg Heil salute during a rally for President Donald Trump on Inauguration Day.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Netanyahu described Musk as a “great friend of Israel” who is being “falsely smeared.”
The controversy began during a rally in Washington, D.C., on Monday, shortly after Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. Musk, introduced to a roaring crowd, praised Trump’s 2024 election win as “hardly an ordinary victory.” As he expressed his gratitude to the audience, Musk repeated a gesture several times, leading to online speculation. Critics accused him of mimicking a Sieg Heil salute, while supporters argued it was an awkward attempt to show appreciation.
Netanyahu stepped into the fray, offering a robust defense of Musk on Thursday. “@elonmusk is being falsely smeared. Elon is a great friend of Israel. He visited Israel after the October 7 massacre in which Hamas terrorists committed the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. He has since repeatedly and forcefully supported Israel’s right to defend itself against genocidal terrorists and regimes who seek to annihilate the one and only Jewish state,” Netanyahu said.
“I thank him for this,” he added.
.@elonmusk is being falsely smeared.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) January 23, 2025
Elon is a great friend of Israel. He visited Israel after the October 7 massacre in which Hamas terrorists committed the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. He has since repeatedly and forcefully supported Israel’s… https://t.co/VkBptanDmp
Musk’s connection with Israel was further underscored by his visit to the Jewish state in November 2023, roughly six weeks after the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. During the trip, he met with Netanyahu and confirmed his support for the beseiged nation.
Musk has consistently expressed his support for the Jewish community and their right to live in peace.
#Hamas_is_ISIS @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/1VNFOpIBiC
— talfriedman1 טל פרידמן (@talfriedman1) December 2, 2023
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