The billionaire met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who
scolded him over content on the platform previously known as Twitter, and
joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a tour of the Kfar Azza
kibbutz, a rural village that Hamas militants stormed on Oct. 7 in a deadly
assault that launched the war.
Wearing a protective vest and escorted by a phalanx of
security personnel as rain fell, Musk used his phone to take photos or videos
of the devastation, according to video released by Netanyahu's office. Musk's
visit came as Israel and Hamas reached a deal to extend a cease-fire for two
more days.
The Tesla CEO and prime minister visited the damaged homes
of victims, including the family of Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old girl with dual
Israeli-U.S. citizenship who was held hostage by Hamas after her parents were
killed. She was released Sunday in the latest round of exchanges during a
cease-fire in Gaza set to expire after Monday.
"It was jarring to see the scene of the massacre,"
Musk said in a conversation with Netanyahu streamed on X. He said he was
troubled by video and photos that the prime minister showed him of the killings
of civilians, including children.
They spoke broadly about the conflict, the protests it has
generated, the Middle East and more but did not touch on antisemitism online.
Netanyahu, who urged a rollback of such hatred in a September meeting with
Musk, said he hoped the billionaire would be involved in building a better
future. Musk replied, "I'd love to help."
Herzog did confront Musk, saying that "the platforms
you lead, unfortunately, have a huge reservoir of hatred, hatred of Jews and
antisemitism."
The Israeli president was joined in the meeting by some of
the families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, according to a statement from
Herzog's office.
"Hatred of the Jews affects the behavior of people in
many places around the world, and you have a huge role to play in this,"
Herzog told Musk.
The X owner responded that it had been a "difficult day
emotionally" following the tour and that "we have to do whatever is
necessary to stop the hate," according to Herzog's office.
Referring to Hamas militants, Musk said, "It's amazing
what humans can do if they're fed lies since they were children. They will
think that murdering innocents is a good thing, which shows how much propaganda
can affect people's minds."
Musk has faced accusations from the Anti-Defamation League,
a prominent Jewish civil rights organization, and others of tolerating
antisemitic messages on the platform since purchasing it last year. The content
on X has gained increased scrutiny since the war between Israel and Hamas began
in October.
A slew of big brands, including Disney and IBM, decided this
month to stop advertising on the platform after a report by liberal advocacy
group Media Matters said ads were appearing alongside pro-Nazi content and
white nationalist posts.
The same week, Musk responded on X to a user who accused
Jews of hating white people and professing indifference to antisemitism by
posting, "You have said the actual truth." He has faced outcry,
including from the White House.
The billionaire, who has described himself as a free-speech
absolutist, tweeted during his Israel visit that "actions speak louder
than words."
X has since sued Media Matters, saying the Washington-based
nonprofit manufactured the report to "drive advertisers from the platform
and destroy X Corp."
Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy declined to say
whether Musk was invited to the country or came on his own. X, formerly known
as Twitter, did not respond to a request for comment.
Israel also settled a spat with Musk over his Starlink
satellite internet company, with Starlink agreeing to operate in Gaza only with
government approval.
"As a result of this significant agreement, Starlink
satellite units can only be operated in Israel with the approval of the Israeli
Ministry of Communications, including the Gaza Strip," Communications
Minister Shlomo Karhi tweeted.
The two had tangled online previously after Musk promised
that Starlink would support connectivity to internationally recognized aid
groups in Gaza, drawing a rebuke from Karhi, who said Israeli would fight it
because Hamas would use the service for militant activities.