The remarks gained renewed traction online following Netanyahu’s divisive appearance at the UNGA.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In the wake of Benjamin Netanyahu’s journey to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, a viral social media rumor emerged alleging that acclaimed American director Oliver Stone launched a harsh attack on the Israeli leader, labeling him a “sick man.” The post quickly drew heavy criticism toward Stone, prompting a closer look at the statement’s validity.
The Rumor: Did Oliver Stone call Benjamin Netanyahu a ‘sick man’?
According to widely shared posts on X, Oliver Stone openly condemned the Israeli Prime Minister, allegedly stating, “Netanyahu is a sick man. I repeat, he is a madman.”
The quote continued, “I met him years ago and interviewed him when he was out of office, and my impression was that he was crazy. I think he has become worse and worse and worse. He really is crazy.”
As the post racked up tens of thousands of views, public reaction was sharply divided. Many users accused the Oscar-winning filmmaker of antisemitism, while others expressed support for the sentiment, highlighting widespread confusion over whether the remarks were genuine or fabricated.
Fact Check: Verifying Stone’s past remarks labeling Netanyahu a ‘madman’ and ‘monster’
As it turns out, the claim is entirely authentic. Oliver Stone did indeed describe Netanyahu as a “madman,” a “monster,” and “sick” during a 2018 interview on Stephen Colbert’s program that ultimately did not air.
During the interview, Stone remarked, “We’re following a madman with this fellow, Netanyahu, who has been a real disaster for the world — in the same sense as the Saudi Arabian Prince Salman. He’s the same kind of monster. They’re two sick people, and they’ve got ahold of Trump now. I’m scared about it.”
Stone also made controversial assertions regarding foreign influence, claiming, “Israel had far more involvement in the US election than Russia,” and reportedly challenged Colbert by asking, “Why don’t you ask me about that?”
The Context: Netanyahu’s contentious UNGA appearance
Old quotes from the director began circulating online following Netanyahu’s highly scrutinized appearance at the UNGA, which took place amid mounting international calls for his arrest related to alleged war crimes.
Faced with an active arrest warrant demand, Netanyahu encountered immediate backlash at the summit as several delegates walked out of the hall as he stepped up to the podium.
During his address, Netanyahu directed criticism toward local leaders, accusing them of endangering Jewish residents through their outspoken opposition to military operations in Gaza.
“Mr. Mamdani, since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York. They talk to me, they tell me ‘this isn’t the city we remember, it changed so quickly,’” Netanyahu stated.