ISTANBUL

California’s governor -- a likely 2028 presidential contender --compared Israel to an apartheid state, arguing that Tel Aviv has pushed Washington to the point where reconsidering its long-standing military support is no longer avoidable.

Speaking on Tuesday in Los Angeles, Gavin Newsom did not hold back on criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, or Bibi, as some call him colloquially.

"The issue of Bibi is interesting, because he’s got his own domestic issues. He’s trying to stay out of jail. He’s got an election coming up,” said Newsom, referring to the corruption cases against Netanyahu -- delayed due to Israel’s long assault on Gaza -- and elections set for this October.

“He’s potentially on the ropes. He’s got folks, the hardline, that want to annex the West Bank. I mean (Thomas) Friedman and others are talking about it appropriately sort of (as) an 'apartheid state'," Newsom added, citing an influential New York Times columnist who for decades was broadly pro-Israel but in recent years has been more and more critical.

Asked if Washington should reconsider its military support for Israel, Newsom said: "It breaks my heart, because the current leadership in Israel is walking us down that path where I don’t think you have a choice about that consideration."

With support from both Republicans and Democrats, Israel has been the largest recipient of US foreign aid since 1946. Recent polls, however, for the first time show Americans expressing more sympathy for the Palestinians than Israel, especially among young people.

On the possibility of regime change in Iran, Newsom was dismissive, saying: “We’re talking about regime change? For two years, they haven’t even been able to solve the Hamas question in Israel.”

In addition to running powerhouse California -- which boasts the world’s fourth-largest economy, ahead of Japan and India -- Newsom is also a frequent critic and target of Republican US President Donald Trump, and many observers expect him to seek the presidency as a Democrat in 2028.

Tensions in the Mideast escalated when the US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran last Saturday, so far killing nearly 900 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries which are home to US assets.