Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired back at a pro-Israel Democratic congresswoman during a CNN interview, accusing her of trying to “excuse antisemitism” after she claimed he put American Jews in an uncomfortable position.
Story Snapshot
- Netanyahu accused Rep. Haley Stevens of excusing antisemitism after she criticized him on CNN.
- Netanyahu said Stevens and her supporters were “backing Hamas” — the group that murdered, beheaded, and raped Israelis on October 7.
- Stevens is a documented pro-Israel Democrat, endorsed by major pro-Israel groups including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
- The exchange highlights a growing split inside the Democratic Party over Israel, even among members who support the Jewish state.
Netanyahu Hits Back at Democratic Congresswoman
During a CNN interview, host Dana Bash asked Netanyahu about comments made by Michigan Representative Haley Stevens. Stevens had said Netanyahu “made us less safe” and “frankly put Jews in an uncomfortable position.” Netanyahu did not hold back. He accused Stevens of being unable to “stand up for the truth” and said her criticism amounted to excusing antisemitism. He went further, claiming that Stevens and people like her were backing Hamas.
Netanyahu described Hamas in stark terms, reminding viewers what the group did on October 7. He said Hamas “murdered people, beheaded our men, raped our women, and burned babies alive.” He also pushed back on the idea that Israel is a theocracy. He pointed out that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, with Muslim citizens making up about 20% of participants in its Supreme Court and parliament.
Who Is Haley Stevens?
Stevens is not a critic of Israel by any standard measure. She is endorsed by the Democratic Majority for Israel political action committee as a “proud pro-Israel Democrat.” After the United States and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran, Stevens appeared in a video for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee reaffirming her commitment to Israel. She also traveled to Israel in 2023 to get a firsthand look at Netanyahu’s policies.
Her original comment was a criticism of Netanyahu’s leadership — not a defense of Hamas or antisemitism. Still, Netanyahu drew a direct line from her words to excusing hate. His accusation that she “backs Hamas” is a strong claim. No documented evidence — no public statements, financial records, or organizational ties — links Stevens to Hamas or its supporters.
A Bigger Battle Inside the Democratic Party
This clash reflects a real and growing tension. Antisemitism has surged across U.S. politics, and Jewish lawmakers now deal with hate speech as a routine part of their jobs. At the same time, some Democrats who strongly support Israel are still willing to criticize Netanyahu’s decisions. Stevens sits in that camp — backing the U.S.-Israel alliance while questioning the prime minister’s judgment.
Incredible moment where Netanyahu lays into Haley Stevens and says she’s “excusing antisemitism” before Dana Bash morphs into a Stevens comms staffer and seems to have to inform Netanyahu that he should want her to win her election pic.twitter.com/LqAUPq0emN
— Hamid Bendaas 🇩🇿🇵🇸 (@HBendaas) July 7, 2026
Research shows that when antisemitism is wrapped in criticism of Israel, some liberals tend to judge it less harshly than outright hate speech. That dynamic gives Netanyahu’s argument some real-world grounding, even if his specific charge against Stevens goes beyond what the evidence supports. The bottom line: Netanyahu drew a hard line, and the fight over who gets to define antisemitism — and who gets accused of enabling it — is far from over.
Sources:
dmfipac.org, bloomberg.com, instagram.com, heritageaction.com, stevens.house.gov
