Trending Now - Newsom Calls Israel an Apartheid State Amid Rising Antisemitism

WHO:

Gavin Newsom, California Governor

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister

Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State

Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor, co-hosts of "Pod Save America"

Thomas Friedman, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

Ndiaga Diagne, mass shooting suspect

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister

WHAT:

Newsom suggested Israel is an "apartheid state" during a book tour event for his memoir "Young Man in a Hurry" on February 28, 2026.

Newsom accused Netanyahu of influencing President Trump's decision to strike Iran.

Rubio stated that the Trump administration's decision to strike Iran was based on the expectation of an Israeli action.

Netanyahu dismissed claims of influencing Trump, asserting Trump is the "strongest leader in the world."

Diagne killed three and wounded 13 at a bar in Austin, Texas, and was found to have a digital footprint of antisemitism and extremism.

The Churchill statue in London was defaced with anti-Israel graffiti on February 27, 2026.

WHERE:

California, United States (Gavin Newsom's book tour)

Washington, D.C. (Marco Rubio's remarks)

Austin, Texas (mass shooting incident)

London, England (Churchill statue defacement)

WHEN:

Newsom's comments were made on February 28, 2026.

Rubio's remarks were made on January 28, 2026.

The Churchill statue was defaced on February 27, 2026.

The mass shooting occurred on an unspecified date in February 2026.

WHY:

Newsom's comments reflect a shift in the Democratic leadership's stance on Israel and military aid.

He criticized Netanyahu's leadership and suggested it may lead to reconsideration of U.S. military support for Israel.

Diagne's actions were investigated as a potential terror attack fueled by radical ideology and recent geopolitical events.

HOW:

Newsom made his statements during a live appearance on "Pod Save America."

Rubio explained the decision-making process behind the Trump administration's military actions against Iran.

The defacement of the Churchill statue involved vandalism with red paint and anti-Israel slogans.

During a recent book tour event for his memoir, California Governor Gavin Newsom suggested that Israel is an "apartheid state" and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of influencing President Trump's decision to strike Iran. In related remarks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration's military actions were based on the expectation of an Israeli strike, while Netanyahu dismissed the claims, asserting Trump is the "strongest leader in the world." Meanwhile, a mass shooting in Austin, Texas, left three dead and 13 wounded, with the suspect, Ndiaga Diagne, found to have a digital footprint of antisemitism, and the Churchill statue in London was defaced with anti-Israel graffiti just days earlier.