'He’s not known for honesty': Gavin Newsom shredded for claiming he 'saw' beheading video on Israel trip
Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On Monday, October 23, California Governor Gavin Newsom claimed to have seen horrific images of Hamas victims, including people allegedly beheaded, during his visit to Israel.
Speaking to reporters in Hong Kong after spending Friday in the Middle-Eastern country, the governor said that the experience brought him closer to understanding the horrors inflicted on the Israeli population.
Newsom said, "The worst part about it — the actual video, I saw heads, beheaded people, their bodies, lay there, dead. To see someone's eyes and mouth being poked to see if they were alive, to find out they were alive after being shot on the ground," as per Daily Mail.
He added, "It connects to an understanding of the emotion of the Israelis about the atrocities that occurred and about the 1,400 lives lost. It's not intellectual any longer."
Gavin Newsom stayed in Tel Aviv for 10 hours amid Israel-Hamas conflict
Newsom reportedly met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as well as survivors of the October 7 Hamas attack during his visit.
He stated that he was reportedly shown a video by the Israeli government of a person allegedly being prodded in the face by the militants to check whether they were alive, before being beheaded with a backhoe.
The Israel-Hamas war entered its third week, as the former continued to bombard Gaza while preparing for an expected land invasion.
The Daily Mail stated that the US is reportedly urging a delay to deploy more forces in the region as a warning to Iran and its allies against using an invasion to justify widening the war.
Gavin Newsom's interaction with Hamas victims
Newsom also reportedly recounted his encounter with a young woman from California who was a victim of a shooting by Hamas during the attack, as well as a mother whose son had been both wounded and kidnapped.
"I listened to the grief and terror in a mother's voice as she spoke about her son — a Californian right now being held hostage in Gaza — whose arm was blown off by a terrorist's grenade," Newsom stated.
He continued, "I hugged a girl — another Californian, born in Los Angeles — who was shot in the leg by Hamas and left for dead, in truly horrific conditions."
He added, "I grieved with families in mourning, I met with young soldiers fresh from bomb shelters and battlefields, and I sat with leaders who bear the responsibility of response to it all."
The California Governor said that he was struck by a sense of resilience despite the horror, calling it "the Israeli spirit."
However, he told journalists that he was not able to meet any Palestinians or travel to Gaza, but was trying to have California send aid to the enclave.
Internet reacts to Gavin Newsom's claims
Netizens were not happy with Newsom's statements and took to X to voice their opinions, as one user wrote, "It’s troubling that he’s taking such a horrific event and tying it to CA because the victim was wearing a Lakers Jersey. I struggle to understand the purpose of his visit other than self-promotion."
It’s troubling that he’s taking such a horrific event and tying it to CA because the victim was wearing a Lakers Jersey. I struggle to understand the purpose of his visit other than self-promotion.
— Suverna (@Suvthesequel) October 24, 2023
A second X user slammed Newsom, saying, "Meanwhile, California is burning, and the people there are wondering why the hell their governor, who sucks, is hanging out in Israel and China, doing nothing for the world, let alone his actual job."
Meanwhile, California is burning, and the people there are wondering why the hell their governor, who sucks, is hanging out in Israel and China, doing nothing for the world, let alone his actual job.
— Rattical (@TxUnmask) October 23, 2023
Calling out Newsom for allegedly not addressing issues in California, one wrote, "Gavin should be in CA addressing crime, homelessness, inflation, increased electricity & gas costs … Unsure of what he thinks he is gaining."
Gavin should be in CA addressing crime, homelessness, inflation, increased electricity & gas costs … Unsure of what he thinks he is gaining.
— Theagan (@TheaganTheagan) October 24, 2023
Another social media user simply added, "He’s not really known for his honesty." While one more jokingly said, "Gavin with the Shaun King vibes over there."