Elon Musk to visit Israel following controversy over his comments on offering Starlink in Gaza
By Pierre Herubel
Renowned entrepreneur and CEO Elon Musk is on his way to Israel on Monday to assess the damage caused by the recent attacks from Hamas, following a contentious announcement that he would offer Starlink in Gaza. This visit has been confirmed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s office to Business Insider.
Musk, who recently held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in California, is also scheduled to meet with Herzog during his visit. The trip is set to include a tour of the Gaza envelope, an area that was impacted by Hamas’ recent attacks.
The controversy surrounding Musk’s comments began when he announced that he intended to offer Starlink internet access for Palestinians in Gaza after Israel disrupted all communication in the area. This decision drew significant backlash, with the White House denouncing it as “abhorrent promotion of antisemitic and racist hate.” Musk’s previous statements have also ignited tension with Israeli officials.
Musk has a history of involving himself in international conflicts through the deployment of his Starlink satellite network. This includes blocking Starlink access in Crimea to prevent Ukraine from targeting occupying Russian forces with drones. In light of these developments, journalist Walter Isaacson, who is also a biographer of Musk, revealed that the CEO was uncomfortable with the militarization of Starlink.
As the situation continues to unfold, Musk’s visit to Israel is expected to be closely watched, as it follows a series of controversial statements and events that have put him at the center of international discussions and tensions.
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