California Gov. Gavin Newsom Calls Israel an Apartheid State, Questions U.S. Military Aid

California Gov. Gavin Newsom publicly labelled Israel an “apartheid state” during a Pod Save America interview and directly questioned whether the United States should continue unconditional military support for Israel.

Newsom told podcast hosts that “others are talking about it appropriately as sort of an apartheid state,” and when asked about “rethinking our military support for Israel,” he said, “It breaks my heart, because the current leadership in Israel is walking us down that path where I don’t think you have a choice.”

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Mondoweiss framed Newsom’s remarks as him having “likened Israel to an apartheid state and suggested that the U.S. might need to condition military aid to the country over its human rights record.”

Newsom explicitly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s domestic and political position, saying Netanyahu is “trying to stay out of jail,” facing an upcoming election and pressured by hardliners who “want to annex the West Bank.”

Both the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle quoted Newsom’s remarks on Netanyahu’s domestic legal troubles and political pressures, while Mondoweiss used the exchange to highlight how Newsom’s stance signals a broader shift in Democratic rhetoric on Israel.

Mondoweiss

Newsom has also taken explicit campaign and fundraising stances tied to his critique of Israeli leadership: he has vowed he would “never” accept AIPAC funding, a position highlighted in both the JTA and Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle pieces as part of his broader repositioning.

“**Gavin Newsom says some ‘appropriately’ call Israel an ‘apartheid state’** California Gov”

The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

Mondoweiss noted this political calculation and argued that Newsom “might be an opportunist, but it’s clear he knows which way the wind is blowing,” connecting his rhetoric to shifting public opinion on Israel.

The reporting placed Newsom’s comments in a wider political context: calls to condition or strip U.S. military aid have gained traction among progressive Democrats, and outlets noted recent congressional actions and polling reflecting changing U.S. views.

The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle explicitly cited that “Calls to strip U.S. military aid from Israel have gained traction among progressive Democrats in recent months, with a record number of Senate Democrats voting to block weapons sales to Israel in July,” while Mondoweiss referenced opinion polling showing rising U.S. sympathy for Palestinians and growing support for conditioning or ending aid.

Mondoweiss

Media reaction and attempts to shape perception were also reported: Mondoweiss criticised coverage that sought to smear critics of Israel and highlighted concerns about editorial decisions at mainstream outlets, while the JTA and Pittsburgh pieces emphasised Newsom’s “shift in tone” as notable for a potential presidential candidate.

“Attempts to smear a politician (or a politician’s spouse) over their criticisms of Israel are no longer going to stick”

Mondoweiss

Mondoweiss noted that “The editorial board of the Wall Street Journal decries Newsom for having the temerity to criticize Israel,” and it described media efforts that have scrutinised critics and their associates.

Jewish Telegraphic Agency