By Brian Fung and Hadas Gold, CNN

Updated 1:03 PM EDT, Mon September 18, 2023

CNN — 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Elon Musk to ‘roll back’ antisemitism on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, during an in-person conversation broadcast live on Monday afternoon.

After an exchange about the regulation of artificial intelligence, Netanyahu praised Musk for his commitment to freedom of speech and pleaded with him to fight back against hate speech.

“I know your commitment to free speech,” Netanyahu told Musk. “But I also know your opposition to antisemitism. You’ve spoken about it, tweeted about it. And all I can say is, I hope you find, within the confines of the First Amendment, the ability to stop not only antisemitism, or roll it back as best you can, but any collective hatred of people…. I know you’re committed to that and I hope you succeed. And it’s not an easy task, but I encourage you and urge you to find a balance.”

Musk replied that he was “against attacking any group, doesn’t matter who it is,” and that his vision for humanity becoming a space-faring species is undermined by “infighting and hatred and negativity.”

“Obviously, I’m against antisemitism,” Musk continued, “I’m anti- really anything that is, you know, that promotes hate and conflict. And I’m in favor of that which helps society and takes us to a better future for humanity collectively.”

The exchange came as part of a brief visit by Netanyahu to California before he travels to New York to meet with world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.

Read further

Suggested reading for the best understanding of what is and what is not anti-Semitism

If We give up Islamism and Jewish and Christian Sharia in State Affairs, What is Left is Human Rights and Coexistence

BBC Video: The Big Questions: Is anti-Zionism anti-Semitic

As an Israeli American, I agree with Ilhan Omar much more than the US politicians weaponising antisemitism

Debunking the myth that anti-Zionism is anti-Semitic

Bernie Sanders Hires First-Ever Muslim Presidential Campaign Manager

The Muslim Times’ Collection to Show, Islam or the Holy Quran are Not Anti-Semitic

CNN Documentary: Ultra-orthodox Jews and Israel’s Struggle with Secularism

Why Did Muhammad Fly to Jerusalem?

How can we build the Third Temple together?

True Fasting: A Message of Compassion and Love from the Old Testament

President Jimmy Carter: Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid

Kripkean Dogmatism: The Best Metaphor to Understand Religious and Political Debates

Debate: Anti-Zionism is Anti-Semitism

Let Man of the Century be Your Guide in Science, Metaphysics and Life