Renowned billionaire and owner of X, formerly Twitter, Elon Musk, visited Israel on Monday, expressing strong opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after touring the Kfar Aza region, where a terrorist attack by Hamas claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis on October 7.
Dressed in a black suit and jeans with a bulletproof vest, Musk, estimated to be worth $242 billion, witnessed the aftermath of the attack, including destroyed homes and a cot peppered with bullets. Flanked by armed soldiers, he engaged in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the ongoing conflict.
Musk, visibly affected by the scenes of destruction, later appeared in an X Spaces conversation, describing the experience as “jarring.” He expressed shock at the images and videos of civilian casualties, emphasizing the need to neutralize those with intentions of murder.
“Those that are intent on murder must be neutralized,” Musk stated during the conversation. He condemned the propaganda that encourages violence and called for making Gaza prosperous as a step towards securing a better future.
The Tesla founder expressed his support for Netanyahu’s goal to eliminate the Hamas terror group, emphasizing the importance of stopping the training of individuals to become future murderers. Musk’s visit to the conflict-stricken region signifies his engagement with the humanitarian aspects of the conflict and his endorsement of a peaceful resolution.
This visit comes amid recent controversy surrounding Musk’s response to an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory on X, where he referred to it as “actual truth.” The White House condemned Musk for repeating what they termed a “hideous lie,” drawing widespread criticism online.
In discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Musk expressed his hope for a prosperous future in the region, emphasizing the importance of halting violence and fostering economic development.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has seen various ceasefire agreements, with the most recent extension allowing for the release of additional hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Musk’s visit adds a high-profile perspective to the complexities of the situation, and his advocacy for peace and prosperity aligns with global calls for a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
