But both Musk and Netanyahu are also looking for something more.
For Netanyahu, the meeting with one of the world’s leading tech entrepreneurs comes amid criticism that his controversial push to overhaul Israel’s judiciary risks scaring off international investors and the tech community that has given Israel its reputation as a “start-up nation.” In remarks made in Israel before his departure for California, Netanyahu called Musk “the current leader of the most dramatic development in the new age and perhaps in general,” apparently referring to AI, and said he will “work toward encouraging him to invest in Israel in the coming years.”
For Musk, a personal visit from Netanyahu offers a chance to counter allegations of antisemitism after a series of tweets in which he blamed the Anti-Defamation League, a prominent Jewish human rights organization, for trying to destroy X and threatened a lawsuit against the nonprofit.
When the conversation turned to antisemitism, Netanyahu said, “I know your commitment to antisemitism,” and gently encouraged Musk to “find the balance” between free speech and antisemitic commentary. “I encourage you to find the balance,” he said. “It’s a tough one.”
The Washington Post reported Thursday that the pair were planning to meet in Silicon Valley at the start of Netanyahu’s trip to the United States for the annual meeting of the U.N. General Assembly.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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