Newsom intensifies criticism of Netanyahu and AIPAC in PBS interview as 2028 speculation grows

# What Newsom said

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, speaking on PBS NewsHour, stepped up his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and addressed the Democratic Party's shifting posture toward Israel and AIPAC. He told interviewer Amna Nawaz that he believes the party is "overwhelmingly opposed to the current regime in Israel."

Newsom framed his comments around three points: the conduct of the Israeli military in Gaza, the rise in settler violence in the West Bank, and the political trajectory under Netanyahu that he says makes a two-state solution harder to achieve.

# Specific positions he voiced

He described the Gaza war as "a moral catastrophe," and said the Democratic Party largely agrees with that assessment. He also insisted the party recognizes the atrocities of Oct. 7, calling those attacks "horrific and unacceptable" and reiterating condemnation of Hamas terrorism.

Newsom warned that if Netanyahu moves toward annexing parts of the West Bank, terms like "apartheid" could become more commonly used. He previously used the term in March while criticizing the direction of Netanyahu's policies and later walked back that phrasing, saying at the time that he "revere[s] the state of Israel."

# On AIPAC and campaign money

# Party unity and internal divisions

Although Newsom repeatedly said Democrats are not divided on Israel and characterized the party's stance as largely unified, he acknowledged concern about language used by some candidates. He said "some of the language" has been weaponized and that certain rhetoric falls "on the spectrum of concern."

His comments align with the position of Democratic moderates who criticize Netanyahu's government while maintaining support for a secure Israel and rejecting calls to label Israel's actions as genocide.

# Political context

Newsom is widely discussed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. His foreign policy comments come amid heightened scrutiny of candidates' Israel positions within the Democratic Party and shifting donor behavior related to AIPAC. He has visited Israel since Oct. 7, meeting survivors and families affected by the attacks.

# Takeaway for readers

Newsom's interview signals a tougher public stance toward Netanyahu and toward pro-Israel lobbying money among mainstream Democrats. He presents a stance that combines strong condemnation of Hamas's Oct. 7 attacks with firm criticism of Israeli military conduct in Gaza and of settler violence, while warning that certain policy directions could worsen conditions for Palestinians and lead to broader condemnatory language.