California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized Israel, targeting its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and labeling the nation as an “apartheid” state.

Newsom made these remarks during a Tuesday evening event promoting his memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery.”

He commented, “The situation with [Netanyahu] is quite complex. He’s dealing with significant domestic issues and is trying to avoid legal troubles amidst an upcoming election, putting him in a precarious position.”

Newsom continued, “There are hardliners pushing for the annexation of the West Bank. People like [Thomas Friedman] are discussing [Israel] in terms that liken it to an apartheid state.”

Despite previously expressing a “deep reverence” for Israel in September last year, Newsom’s recent statements align with more left-leaning perspectives against the country, as the US collaborates with Netanyahu concerning tensions in Iran.

When questioned about whether the United States should reconsider its military aid to Israel, Newsom indicated his internal conflict, stating that the situation “breaks my heart.”

But he added that Netanyahu and others are “walking us down that path where I don’t think you have a choice about that consideration.”

Newsom later mocked Israel’s attempts at regime change in Iran, which resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“We’re talking about regime change?” Newsom said. “For two years, they haven’t even been able to solve the Hamas question in Israel.”

The California Democrat is a 2028 presidential contender hoping to boost his status ahead of the coming primaries.

Stances on Israel and Palestine rocked the 2024 presidential election, and many contenders, like Newsom, want the masses to know where they stand.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to President Donald Trump in 2024 in part due to an indecisive Israel-Palestine stance, stayed nuanced on the issue late last year.

When asked whether Israel committed genocide in Gaza, she said people should “step back and ask this question and be honest about it, yeah.”

The Post reached out to Newsom for further comment.

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