Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a second denial within 24 hours on Thursday over claims that Israel was involved in the murder of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The unusually frequent denials, delivered through videos posted on X (formerly Twitter), have drawn further attention to internet speculation and intensified debate over Kirk’s evolving relationship with Israel in the months before his death.
In the videos, Netanyahu praised Kirk as a staunch ally of Israel and said the activist had agreed to visit the country in the coming weeks to meet with him. Netanyahu also characterized the rumors of Israeli involvement as “baseless lies.” The latest denials follow an earlier statement on September 12th, when Netanyahu told Newsmax host Greta Van Susteren that Israel had no role in the killing.
Observers note that it is rare for a head of government to repeatedly deny involvement in a foreign assassination, a pattern that some argue has only deepened suspicions. The speculation has been fueled by reports that Kirk had grown increasingly estranged from the pro-Israel donor base that had long supported his organization, Turning Point USA (TPUSA). Friends and associates say Kirk had grown frustrated with what he viewed as restrictions on criticizing Israel within the conservative movement.
Tensions reportedly came to a head in July when Kirk hosted Tucker Carlson and libertarian podcaster Dave Smith—both critics of Israel—at a TPUSA summit. The decision was said to have triggered an “intervention” by pro-Israel figures, after which Kirk left feeling pressured and alienated.
Following his death, Israeli and pro-Israel officials have sought to emphasize Kirk’s longstanding record as a supporter. Yet among many younger conservatives, Kirk’s murder has underscored what they perceive as a growing rift between their generation and the traditional pro-Israel consensus on the American right as Kirk is believed to have begun aligning himself with the youth vote of the party.