Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired back at a pro-Israel Democratic congresswoman on live television, accusing her of “excusing antisemitism” after she claimed he was putting American Jews in danger.
Story Snapshot
- Netanyahu told CNN that Rep. Haley Stevens “can’t stand up for the truth” and accused her of excusing antisemitism.
- Stevens had said Netanyahu “made us less safe” and “put Jews in an uncomfortable position” — drawing a sharp public rebuke from Israel’s prime minister.
- Netanyahu pointed to Hamas atrocities — beheadings, rape, and burning babies alive — to argue that critics like Stevens are effectively backing terrorists.
- Stevens is endorsed by a major pro-Israel political action committee and has publicly reaffirmed her support for Israel, including after joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran.
Netanyahu Calls Out Stevens on CNN
During a CNN interview, host Dana Bash asked Netanyahu about comments from Michigan Democratic 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. The exchange was blunt and drew immediate attention across social media and news outlets.
Netanyahu went further, saying that those who criticize Israel in this way are backing Hamas — a group he described as terrorists who “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 noted that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, with Muslim citizens making up about 20% of participants in institutions like the Supreme Court and the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Stevens Has a Strong Pro-Israel Record
Stevens is not a fringe critic of Israel. The Democratic Majority for Israel political action committee endorsed her and called her a “proud pro-Israel Democrat.” The group says she believes America is stronger when it stands with democratic allies. 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 observe Netanyahu’s policies firsthand.
Her record makes Netanyahu’s charge harder to pin down. Stevens never defended antisemitism. Her comments focused on Netanyahu’s leadership and its effect on American Jews — not on Jews as a people or on Israel’s right to exist. Netanyahu’s claim that she “backs Hamas” has no documented evidence behind it. There are no public statements, financial ties, or organizational links connecting her to Hamas or its supporters.
A Bigger Fight Over Antisemitism in U.S. Politics
This clash fits a much larger battle playing out in American politics. Antisemitism has surged across the country. Jewish lawmakers now deal with hate speech in campaign ads, on social media, and in direct messages to their offices on a near-daily basis. That reality makes the debate over where legitimate criticism ends and antisemitism begins more urgent than ever.
WATCH: Asked by CNN about Israel endangering 🇺🇸 Jews, Netanyahu accuses Haley Stevens — a staunch defender of Israel — of “excusing antisemitism”
Even Dana Bash isn’t having the gaslighting pic.twitter.com/D6Hd0aY8pH
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) July 8, 2026
Research also shows a troubling trend on the left. A psychology study found that U.S. liberals were more accepting of antisemitic views when those views were wrapped in criticism of Israel or the Gaza war. That finding gives some weight to Netanyahu’s broader concern — even if his specific charge against Stevens lacks hard proof. For conservatives who have watched the left dismiss Israel’s security needs for years, Netanyahu’s frustration is easy to understand. The line between criticizing a foreign leader and giving cover to those who hate Jews is one that too many politicians refuse to draw clearly.
Sources:
dmfipac.org, bloomberg.com, instagram.com, heritageaction.com, stevens.house.gov
