Netanyahu on Podcast: Israel Fights 'Lies' with Truth
On a podcast, Netanyahu addressed "hate," blaming lies about Israel. He detailed his Trump "bromance," the Iran operation, and blamed Hamas for Gaza casualties, sharing personal stories from his military career.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a wide-ranging and candid podcast interview published Tuesday, addressed why he believes he is "so hated worldwide," blaming "propaganda" for a negative perception of Israel among young Americans and vowing to fight "lies" with "truth."
Speaking on the Nelk Boys' "Full Send Podcast" from the Blair House in Washington D.C., Netanyahu covered topics from his "bromance" with U.S. President Donald Trump and the joint operation against Iran, to the war in Gaza and personal stories from his decorated military career.
Perceptions, Protests, and 'Misconceptions'
When asked about the American public's opinion on Israel, Netanyahu said while he believes broad segments are supportive, he is "concerned that the young people in America, some of them are getting the wrong picture of Israel, vilification, demonization."
"The only way you can fight lies is with the truth," he stated. "You have to tell it as often and as intensely as the lies that are leveled against you."
Netanyahu argued the biggest misconception is that people don't know what an "open society" Israel is. He drew a sharp contrast with Iran, where "they hang gays by cranes" and "shoot the women," while in Israel, Tel Aviv is "one of the most open, liberal-minded" cities and an Israeli woman pilot "helps liberate Iran."
On why he believes he is "so hated worldwide," he attributed it to "a lot of propaganda" but countered that many world leaders, like the Chancellor of Germany, privately praised Israel's actions against Iran. He dismissed pro-Palestinian protesters in the U.S. as "organized" and "totally ignorant." "What are they protesting for?" he asked, pointing out that most of the Arab world has made peace with Israel.
On Iran
Netanyahu described his decades-long effort to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as his "greatest accomplishment." He framed the threat from Tehran as "two lumps of cancer" – the nuclear program and the ballistic missile program.
"If you don't remove the cancer, you're going to be dead," he said. "So we had to act. We did act."
He heavily praised his partnership with President Trump, describing their joint operation against Iran's nuclear program as a historic success achieved with "not a single American casualty." He mocked experts who predicted "World War III" and said Trump had the "temerity and the leadership to disavow these so-called experts."
While ruling out peace with the current Iranian regime, Netanyahu expressed hope for the Iranian people, who he believes want freedom. "Ultimately, it's up to the people of Iran to rise up against their tormentors," he said, adding that when the regime falls, "you're going to see peace between us like you never believed it."
Gaza, Hamas, and Oct. 7th
Addressing accusations that Israel is killing babies and starving people in Gaza, Netanyahu called the claims "completely false." He stated the reason for civilian casualties is that "Hamas embeds itself in the civilian population."
"We tell the Palestinians, hey, leave," he said, detailing calls and leaflets used to warn civilians. "You know what Hamas does? They shoot them... they want to have civilian casualties because then they can show it on CNN."
He dismissed support for the Palestinian cause from some progressive groups as absurd, stating, "Gays for Gaza is like chickens for KFC."
When asked about October 7th, he described it as a "butchery" and agreed with critics that "it could have been prevented," stating the response time is still being investigated. He vowed to get all remaining hostages back, saying, "We may have a deal we're working on right now."
Trump, Regrets, and Hamburgers
Netanyahu described his relationship with President Trump as a "bromance." He called Trump "very funny," a "good person" with a "good heart" who "cuts through the B.S." This contrasted with his relationship with President Biden, which he said evolved into "severe disagreements," and with President Obama, with whom he had a "different view of the world."
His biggest regret, he said, is the "slings and arrows" his wife and two sons have had to suffer in public life. He also recounted a long and detailed story from his five years of service in Israel's special forces, including an operation to storm a hijacked Sabena airplane where he was accidentally shot by a fellow soldier. The story highlighted his close relationship with his older brother, Yoni, who was later killed leading the famed rescue mission in Entebbe, Uganda.
"Life is precious and war is hell," he reflected. "But sometimes you have no choice but to fight for your survival."
On a lighter note, when asked what he and President Trump have in common, he replied, "Hamburgers." He recounted a seven-course state dinner in Israel where he and Trump were most excited for the "dressed up hamburger." He admitted to being a "junk food junkie" for years, with a preference for Burger King over McDonald's, a take the hosts called "crazy."
