Musk’s Visit to Israel and Kfar Azza Kibbutz
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, facing criticism over alleged antisemitism on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), embarked on a visit to Israel on Monday. During his trip, he toured the Kfar Azza kibbutz, which had been attacked by Hamas militants last month. The billionaire, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, donned a protective vest and documented the aftermath of the assault using his phone, as captured in footage released by Netanyahu’s office.
Meetings with Israeli Leaders
Elon Musk’s itinerary included meetings with prominent Israeli leaders. He was set to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Benny Gantz, a former defense minister now part of a special war Cabinet. While Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy did not disclose whether Musk was invited or came independently, the visit coincided with an announcement by Israel’s communications minister, Shlomo Karhi, regarding a significant agreement with Musk’s Starlink satellite internet company.
Starlink Satellite Internet Deal
Minister Karhi tweeted about the agreement, stating that Starlink satellite units could only operate in Israel with approval from the Israeli Ministry of Communications, extending to the Gaza Strip. Details of the deal were not provided in the tweet.
Antisemitism Accusations and Platform Controversy
Elon Musk has faced accusations of permitting antisemitic content on X since his acquisition of the platform last year. The scrutiny intensified during the Israel-Hamas war, leading several major brands, including Disney and IBM, to halt advertising on the platform. A report by liberal advocacy group Media Matters claimed that ads were appearing alongside pro-Nazi material, exacerbating the controversy. Musk’s endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory further fueled concerns.
Musk’s Response to Antisemitism Accusations
In response to a user’s antisemitic remark on X earlier this month, Musk seemingly endorsed the statement, stating, “You have said the actual truth.” This further intensified criticism and drew attention to the issue of combating antisemitism on social media platforms.
Elon Musk’s visit to Israel occurs against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of X’s content moderation policies, and it remains to be seen how the platform addresses the allegations of antisemitism under Musk’s ownership.
SOURCE: Ref Image from France 24
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