Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to California to meet with billionaire businessman Elon Musk to discuss a range of topics including antisemitism, artificial intelligence, and Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan. The visit comes at a time when Musk is facing allegations of tolerating antisemitic messages on his social media platform, while Netanyahu is facing political opposition in Israel. Protesters gathered outside Tesla's factory in Fremont, California, where the meeting took place. The main focus of the conversation between Netanyahu and Musk was the control and regulation of artificial intelligence. Both leaders agreed on the need to weigh the benefits and risks of AI while ensuring the technology is used ethically.

Netanyahu emphasized the importance of like-minded states agreeing on a code of ethics to foster the advancement of AI and address any potential negative impacts. The discussion then shifted to free speech and antisemitism. Netanyahu expressed his hope that within the boundaries of the First Amendment, Musk can find a way to combat antisemitism and other forms of hatred on his social media platform. Musk, in response, acknowledged the challenge of dealing with objectionable content on a platform with millions of daily posts, but reaffirmed X's policy to not promote or amplify hate speech.

However, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has accused Musk of allowing antisemitism and hate speech to spread on X. The ADL's director, Jonathan Greenblatt, claimed that Musk had amplified the messages of neo-Nazis and white supremacists. In a post, Musk defended himself, accusing the ADL of falsely accusing him and his platform of being antisemitic and causing a decline in X's revenue. Netanyahu's visit to California, focused on meeting with Musk, is seen as unusual for a world leader. Typically, Silicon Valley itineraries for political dignitaries include visits to major tech companies such as Apple, Google, or Meta.

Netanyahu's trip also included a demonstration of self-driving technology. From California, Netanyahu is set to travel to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly and meet with various world leaders, including President Joe Biden. However, his plan to overhaul Israel's judicial system has led to widespread protests both in Israel and among Israeli expatriates abroad. Critics argue that the plan would weaken the judiciary and undermine checks and balances, potentially leading to autocratic rule.

Leaders from Israel's high-tech community, who have been actively involved in the protests, argue that weakening the judiciary will harm the country's business climate and discourage foreign investment. These protests have influenced Musk, who asked Netanyahu to address the judicial overhaul during their meeting, citing pushback he received for hosting the prime minister. The visit by Netanyahu and his discussions with Musk highlight the intersection of technology, politics, and social issues, as leaders grapple with the challenges posed by AI, free speech, and antisemitism.