{"id":2583391,"date":"2026-03-24T16:05:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T20:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gavin-newsom-avoids-calling-himself-a-zionist\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T16:07:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T20:07:10","slug":"gavin-newsom-avoids-calling-himself-a-zionist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gavin-newsom-avoids-calling-himself-a-zionist\/","title":{"rendered":"Gavin Newsom avoids calling himself a Zionist"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgavin-newsom-avoids-calling-himself-a-zionist%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2583391&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>California Governor Gavin Newsom declined to label himself a Zionist in a Politico interview,saying he reveres and proudly supports the state of Israel while criticizing Prime Minister benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n<p>Key points:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; newsom avoided a direct Zionist label but stated he \u201creveres\u201d Israel and is proud to support the country.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; He condemned Netanyahu\u2019s leadership, opposing the two-state solution and how the far-right is being indulged in relation to the West Bank.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Newsom touched on the controversy over the term \u201capartheid,\u201d saying he regretted using it in reference to a Tom Friedman column and that he does not believe Israel is an apartheid state in its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-vowed-to-elect-more-women-they-did-just-that\/\" title=\"Republicans Vowed To Elect More Women...They Did Just That\">current state<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; he expressed shared concerns with Friedman about the direction of netanyahu\u2019s government and potential steps like West Bank annexation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The remarks come as Democrats navigate Israel policy and donor dynamics with pro-Israel groups such as AIPAC, highlighting internal debate within the party.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Gavin Newsom avoids calling himself a Zionist<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2541751\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\">Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA) evaded labeling himself as a Zionist, instead expressing support for Israel and criticizing Israeli Prime Minister <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/benjamin-netanyahu\/\">Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>&rsquo;s government.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In an interview with <em>Politico<\/em> published Tuesday, Newsom was asked if he considered himself a Zionist. The California governor repeated the question and avoided answering it directly, before stating he &ldquo;reveres&rdquo; the state of Israel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4501517\/harakat-ashab-al-yamin-islamia-emerging-terrorist-group-claiming-attacks-europe\/\">Harakat Ashab al Yamin al Islamia: The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >emerging terrorist group claiming attacks<\/a> across Europe<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4501269\/taliban-release-american-captive-dennis-coyle\/\">Taliban releases American held captive for over a year to ease tensions with US<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4501297\/watch-live-melania-trump-opening-remarks-global-summit-state-department\/\">WATCH LIVE: Melania Trump delivers opening remarks for State Department summit<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Asked whether he considers himself a Zionist, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GavinNewsom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@GavinNewsom<\/a> tells our <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jmart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@jmart<\/a> he&#8217;s &#8220;proud&#8221; to support Israel, but &#8220;deeply, deeply&#8221; opposes Netanyahu&rsquo;s leadership.<\/p>\n<p>Newsom explains his Israel stance &mdash; and defends his &#8220;apartheid&#8221; comments&#128071;<\/p>\n<p>Full interview: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sINA2hvbVF\">https:\/\/t.co\/sINA2hvbVF<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NXVSFXVJot\">pic.twitter.com\/NXVSFXVJot<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; POLITICO (@politico) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/politico\/status\/2036456194064158914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m proud to support the state of Israel,&rdquo; Newsom said. &ldquo;I deeply, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/48-senators-vow-to-oppose-any-legislation-that-funds-abortion\/\" title=\"48 Senators Vow To Oppose Any Legislation That Funds Abortion\">deeply oppose<\/a> Bibi Netanyahu&rsquo;s leadership, his opposition to the two-state solution and deeply oppose how he is indulging the far-right as it relates to what is going on in the West Bank.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Newsom&rsquo;s comments come at a challenging time for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\">Democrats<\/a>, as those within the Democratic Party further distance themselves from supporting Israel and refuse to accept donations from the pro-Israel group, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/aipac\/\">American Israel Public Affairs Committee<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to questions about whether Newsom considers himself a Zionist, he was also pressed on labeling Israel as an &ldquo;apartheid&rdquo; state in a previous interview.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Newsom said he regretted using the term, arguing he used it in reference to a column by <em>New York Times<\/em> columnist Tom Friedman.<\/p>\n<p>Friedman wrote that Israel could become an &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/suspect-in-shooting-deaths-of-two-israeli-embassy-workers-indicted-on-hate-crime-charges-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Suspect in shooting deaths of two ...i Embassy workers indicted on hate crime charges ... Washington Examiner\">apartheid state&#038;rdquo<\/a>; if Netanyahu won this year&rsquo;s election in Israel because of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4501103\/netanyahu-voices-support-trump-potential-iran-deal\/\">Iran war<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I do in this context,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I said it, and I referenced why I used it &mdash; a Tom Friedman article &mdash; in that same sentence where Tom used it in the context of the direction that Bibi is going.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The question was based on Newsom&rsquo;s remarks <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/editorials\/4481747\/gavin-newsom-disgraceful-pander-anti-israel-democrats\/\">while appearing on <em>Pod Save America<\/em><\/a>  in early March, where Newsom was questioned about the U.S. relationship with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Israel\/\">Israel<\/a> and Netanyahu.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The issue of Bibi is interesting because he&rsquo;s got his own domestic issues,&rdquo; Newsom said on <em>Pod Save America<\/em>. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s trying to stay out of jail. He&rsquo;s got an election coming up. He&rsquo;s potentially on the ropes. He&rsquo;s got folks, the hard line, that [want to] annex the West Bank. I mean, Friedman and others are talking about it appropriately &mdash; sort of an apartheid state.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4496819\/jewish-voters-feel-politically-homeless-as-antisemitism-rises-on-both-sides\/\"><strong>JEWISH VOTERS FEEL &lsquo;POLITICALLY HOMELESS&rsquo; AS ANTISEMITISM RISES ON BOTH SIDES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Newsom agreed he didn&rsquo;t believe Israel was an apartheid &ldquo;in its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-trump-holds-double-digit-leading-majority-over-democrats-regarding-who-americans-trust-to-manage-the-economy\/\" title=\"Poll: Trump Holds Double...Digit Leading Majority Over ... Regarding Who Americans Trust to Manage the Economy\">current state&#038;rdquo<\/a>; when asked.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>He said he shares concerns with Friedman about the direction Netanyahu is taking the government by &ldquo;indulging&rdquo; the far-right.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Correct. That is a legitimate concern that I have that I share with Tom that that direction, if that vision and that direction of the far-right that Bibi is indulging in, that if they see the full annexation of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/west-bank\/\">West Bank<\/a>, then that&rsquo;s not something,&rdquo; Newsom said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Newsom dodges Zionist; backs Israel, criticizes Bibi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3984,"featured_media":2583392,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26074739124940_5d22ea.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[37666,32742,32515,15567],"class_list":["post-2583391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-california-politics","tag-gavin-newsom","tag-us-politics","tag-zionism"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26074739124940_5d22ea.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3984"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2583391"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2583395,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583391\/revisions\/2583395"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2583392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2583391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2583391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2583391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}