Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the rumors that Israel was involved in the murder of Charlie Kirk “a monstrous big lie” in a statement on Wednesday.
Netanyahu called the rumors “insane” in the video statement posted on his X account and briefly suggested that the rumors could have been spread with Qatari funding. Qatar has reportedly attempted to influence American politicians and political activists, especially in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
“This is insane. It is false. It is outrageous. Charlie Kirk was a giant. A once-in-a-century talent who defended freedom, defended America, defended our common Judeo-Christian civilization,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu said Kirk “loved Israel” and sent the prime minister a letter several months ago. Netanyahu also said that he spoke with Kirk over the phone a few weeks before his assassination and invited him to visit Israel.
“He encouraged me to make the case directly to the American people about how vital Israel is to U.S. national security. He told me, ‘The Holy Land is so important to my life, it pains me to see support for Israel slip away,’” Netanyahu said of Kirk.
Netanyahu also spoke to the rumors about Israel’s involvement in an appearance on Newsmax the day after Kirk’s assassination, telling Greta Van Susteren that the false rumors are rooted in antisemitism. He also said Kirk’s legacy, which included defending “Israel’s right to defend itself,” is a “legacy that will endure.”
“It’s not [Make America Great Again ideology] to support Iran and Hamas and Hezbollah,” Netanyahu said in the interview.
Turcker Carlson, a friend of Kirk’s who is set to speak at his funeral this Sunday, criticized the Israeli Prime Minister’s initial reaction to Kirk’s death. Carlson called Netanyahu’s response an “attempt to hijack Charlie’s memory and use it for his own political ends.” Carlson said Kirk loved the state of Israel, but “he did not like Bibi Netanyahu” and thought the prime minister was “a very destructive force.”
Netanyahu addressed policy differences with Kirk in his latest statement, which came one day after Carlson’s comments.
“If Charlie disagreed with a policy of mine or a decision here and there, not only did I not mind, I welcomed it. This is the essence of Charlie, it is the essence of a free country, this is exactly what Charlie stood for,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli Prime Minister concluded his statement by suggesting Qatari funding could be behind the rumors.
CONSERVATIVES FEUD OVER WHAT CHARLIE KIRK WOULD HAVE WANTED
“Now, some are peddling these disgusting rumors, perhaps out of obsession, perhaps with Qatari funding. What I do know is this: Charlie Kirk was a great man, and a great man deserves honor, not lies,” Netanyahu said.
Utah prosecutors have charged Kirk’s suspected assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, with seven felony charges and plan to seek the death penalty.