Gavin Newsom says he regrets using term ‘apartheid’ to describe Israel

California Governor Gavin Newsom walked back his earlier use of the term "apartheid" to describe Israel, saying in a Politico interview Tuesday that he meant the characterization to apply to Israel's potential future trajectory rather than its current state. Newsom had made the apartheid comparison three weeks prior, drawing significant attention given his expected 2028 presidential run. The clarification appears designed to temper criticism from pro-Israel advocates and Democratic Party figures who viewed the original remarks as inflammatory. Newsom said the term was intended as a warning about where Israel could head if current policies continue, not a present-day assessment. The backtrack reflects the political sensitivity around Israel rhetoric within the Democratic Party as the 2028 presidential cycle approaches.