Former White House adviser Steve Bannon just went scorched earth on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News, released Thursday, Netanyahu pointed to growing antisemitism from the right, saying it stems only from individuals with anti-Israel views, but also from those with anti-American sentiments and negative views of President Donald Trump. He then referenced the “woke right,” which the conservative outlet described as including some who had once supported Israel, but turned against it in opposing its 12-day war with Iran in June, and any U.S. involvement.
“Some of these people call themselves MAGA. They’re not MAGA,” Netanyahu said.
“If you support Iran, Iran tried to kill President Trump twice, not once, but twice. Iran has put a price on his head… That’s Iran,” he continued, adding that the country has a history of attacks against Americans.
He went on to say that “you can’t be MAGA” if you’re “pro-Iran” or “anti-Israel.”
“Iran wants to annihilate the United States. Israel is the best ally of the United States,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu also noted that Trump “understands this, and he stands very strongly with us.”
“I really appreciate the straightforward and courageous way that he faces people, sometimes in his own constituency, because that’s what leaders, from time to time, have to do,” Netanyahu said.
Bannon, who had been a vocal critic of U.S. involvement in conflict between Israel and Iran, responded to Netanyahu‘s remarks — and did not mince words.
“American Citizens Do Not Give 2 F—- About Your Thoughts on MAGA , or What Our Citizens Need to Believe—They Care About Exposing Your Pathological Lies in Order to Keep Us Out of Your Next War,” Bannon wrote on the MAGA-alternative social media platform GETTR.
His post was met with mainly supportive reactions, with some users accusing Netanyahu of trying to “gaslight” the MAGA movement.
“Dear Benjamin Netanyahu – You do not get to define MAGA… You do not have any Right to tell American Citizens what to think or believe,” one user replied.
Another responded: “Who is he to say what’s MAGA???I don’t have to agree with Israel on everything they do to love my president!!!!”
The interview comes as Trump hosted a meeting on Wednesday focused on postwar plans for Gaza, with Israel seeking a deal that would end the conflict and return all of its remaining hostages. Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, signaled on Tuesday that it is unlikely for a temporary truce to be reached, but suggested that the war could be settled before the end of the year.
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