Musk had previously met with Netanyahu in California on September 18, where the Prime Minister urged him to find a balance between protecting free expression and combating hate speech. Musk asserted his stance against antisemitism and hate speech during that meeting.

However, on November 15, Musk faced criticism for agreeing with a post on X that falsely claimed Jewish people were fostering hatred against white individuals. This led to condemnation from the White House, and several major US companies paused their advertisements on Musk’s social media site.

The controversy surrounding X has intensified during the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict, with antisemitic incidents on the rise. According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents in the United States increased nearly 400% compared to the same period the previous year.

Elon Musk has defended X as a platform for diverse viewpoints but emphasized the company’s commitment to limiting the distribution of posts that violate its policies. The situation has led to strained relations with both critics and major advertisers.

Aside from the social media controversy, Musk’s visit to Israel is notable for its timing during a four-day truce in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Additionally, Musk, who runs Tesla and SpaceX, is developing an artificial intelligence startup, xAI, in a country known for its leadership in the field.

As Israel grapples with the economic impact of the conflict, estimated growth rates have been revised downward, and the shekel has experienced fluctuations. The outcome of Musk’s diplomatic engagement in Israel remains to be seen against the backdrop of these multifaceted challenges.