Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing criticism following a light-hearted appearance on the Full Send Podcast hosted by internet personalities the Nelk Boys, amid growing concerns over severe starvation in Gaza.
The interview, released Monday, has sparked widespread outrage due to its casual tone and lack of critical questioning, as Netanyahu discussed his fast-food preferences and praised former U.S. President Donald Trump. The timing of the podcast drew particular backlash, as it coincided with alarming reports from the United Nations about rising hunger and malnutrition in Gaza.
According to the UN World Food Programme, nearly 100,000 women and children in Gaza are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with one-third of the population reportedly going days without food.
Despite the availability of aid, large quantities of food remain blocked outside the region due to Israeli restrictions. Humanitarian organizations report that over 1,000 Palestinians have been shot while attempting to reach food distribution points since late May.
Netanyahu used the podcast to defend his government’s actions, placing blame for civilian suffering on Hamas and claiming most Gaza residents want to leave the territory. He also made comments that critics have called misleading and dehumanizing, including controversial remarks about LGBTQ+ support for Palestinians and unverified claims about humanitarian access.
The Nelk Boys, known for their prank content and right-leaning fanbase, have previously hosted figures like Donald Trump. Their decision to interview Netanyahu appears to have been facilitated by an Israeli entrepreneur aiming to reach younger audiences with pro-Israel messaging.
Reaction to the podcast was swift. The Full Send YouTube channel reportedly lost over 10,000 subscribers within 24 hours of the interview’s release. Critics, including progressive commentator Hasan Piker, accused the Nelk Boys of giving a platform to a leader accused of war crimes without offering serious scrutiny.
While Netanyahu claimed the appearance was part of a broader effort to engage young audiences, Speaker segments from the interview — such as a discussion about his preference for Burger King over McDonald’s — were met with outrage online. One of the top YouTube comments called the episode “insane,” describing Netanyahu as a “war criminal.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, but this has rarely been mentioned in mainstream coverage or affected his international engagements.
Observers say the podcast is a reflection of a wider pattern of normalization and insufficient media accountability regarding the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza. Critics argue that while grassroots pressure and condemnation have increased, major platforms and public figures often fail to adequately represent the Palestinian perspective or challenge Israeli narratives.
