“It’s one factor clearly if civilians die by chance, nevertheless it’s one other factor to revel within the pleasure of killing civilians. … That’s evil,” Musk stated.
Musk additionally rebuffed arguments that Israel has disproportionately killed civilians in Gaza, saying the actions of Hamas militants have been intentional. “There is a crucial distinction right here, which is Israel tries to keep away from killing civilians,” Musk stated.
The journey comes as Musk faces widespread criticism for his determination to loosen content material moderation on X, previously Twitter, after he bought the platform final 12 months. For the reason that Hamas assault, antisemitic content material has surged greater than 900 p.c on the platform, The Washington Submit reported. Disinformation specialists have accused Musk of enjoying a uniquely potent function by easing moderation requirements and amplifying antisemitic tropes.
Musk has additionally been condemned by the White Home for indicating assist for an antisemitic conspiracy principle on X, a transfer U.S. officers known as an “abhorrent promotion of antisemitic and racist hate.” Quite a few main advertisers have fled the platform after their adverts appeared subsequent to pro-Nazi posts.
Musk didn’t straight tackle these allegations in his dialog with Netanyahu on Monday, however he stated there’s a must “cease the propaganda that’s convincing folks to have interaction in homicide.” The militants should be “neutralized,” he added.
Additionally on Monday, Musk reached a “precept understanding” with Israel to function SpaceX’s Starlink satellites in Gaza, based on Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, however solely with Israeli approval.
Israeli officers have warned him towards supplying help organizations inside Gaza with web connectivity via Starlink, saying it might be utilized by Hamas.
Gaza has suffered a number of communications blackouts because the conflict started, successfully sealing off the enclave’s residents from the surface world and each other. Help teams contained in the Strip stated Palestinians have been unable to contact emergency companies amid heavy strikes underneath these blackouts.
“This understanding is important, as is it for everybody who wishes a greater world, freed from evil and freed from antisemitism, for our kids’s sake,” Karhi wrote on X earlier than welcoming Musk to the nation.
SpaceX didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Jennifer Hassan reported from London and Aaron Gregg from Washington. Lior Soroka contributed to this report.
