Gavin Newsom avoids calling himself a Zionist

Published March 24, 2026 3:54pm ET



Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) evaded labeling himself as a Zionist, instead expressing support for Israel and criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. 

In an interview with Politico published Tuesday, Newsom was asked if he considered himself a Zionist. The California governor repeated the question and avoided answering it directly, before stating he “reveres” the state of Israel. 

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