SACRAMENTO (VINnews) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday that he supports Israel and considers it an important ally of the United States, while also sharply criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.

In a wide-ranging interview with POLITICO, Newsom said he “revere[s] the state of Israel,” but voiced opposition to Netanyahu’s rejection of a two-state solution and expressed concern about the influence of far-right factions in Israeli politics.

He said those policies and political dynamics are shaping the country’s direction in ways he views as problematic, pointing in particular to the prospect of annexation in the West Bank as a development he opposes.

Newsom also addressed past comments in which he used the term “apartheid” in reference to Israel. He said he regrets the phrasing in that context, clarifying that it was tied to a specific argument about the direction of Israeli policy rather than a characterization of Israel today.

The governor emphasized that his criticism is aimed at policy decisions and leadership, while reiterating his support for Israel as a sovereign state and a key U.S. partner.