Rod Stewart cuts ties with Trump, slams Israel in Holocaust comparison
British singer denounces arms sales to Israel and claims Netanyahu seeks “annihilation” of Palestinians in striking Holocaust comparison
Rod Stewart has publicly severed ties with Donald Trump and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing the “annihilation” of Palestinians in a provocative interview with Radio Times.
The 80-year-old British singer said: “What Netanyahu is doing to the Palestinians is exactly what happened to the Jews. It’s annihilation, and that’s all he wants to do – get rid of them all. I don’t know how they sleep at night.”
He confirmed he is no longer friends with Trump, his former neighbour in Florida, stating: “I’m not a great fan of Trump. I knew him very, very well. I used to go to his house. I live literally half a mile away… But since he became president, he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know.”
When asked directly if he still considered Trump a friend, Stewart replied: “No, I can’t any more. As long as he’s selling arms to the Israelis – and he still is.”
Stewart, who performed in Tel Aviv in 2017 despite boycott calls from pro-Palestinian groups, also criticised the ongoing supply of weapons to Israel by the United Kingdom. “How’s that war ever gonna stop? And we should stop selling [arms to] them as well,” he said.
He added that Trump “didn’t, as far as I’m concerned, treat women very well.”
Stewart also revealed that his upcoming Glastonbury performance would result in a financial loss. “It’s going to cost me £300,000 to do it and they only pay you about £120,000,” he said. “But it’s such an honour.”
The interview follows a series of cancelled U.S tour dates due to flu, ahead of his scheduled appearance in Glastonbury’s Legends slot on 29 June.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
