JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the idea that Israel was involved in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, is "insane," "false" and "outrageous."

Kirk was allegedly shot by a lone gunman, a young man of 22 who is an apprentice electrician, at a rally at Utah Valley University, 10 days ago. Tyler Robinson, the man suspected of the murder is now in custody after turning himself in.

On social media however there is a growing suspicion that Israel was behind the attack. Former Mossad Director Yossi Cohen, in an interview with Australian journalist Erin Molan this week, was asked directly by his host whether the Mossad "was responsible for Charlie Kirk's death."

"Absolutely not, we had nothing to do with it," Cohen replied. "We'e not doing this type of stuff. We are not involved in political assinations, we never were. This is super false and evil."

"I understand that with everything happening around the world, the Mossad will always be the first to be accused, the prime suspect," Cohen said. "Even the tsunami. We simply don't do that. I know it is hard to digest with the horrors people are seeing in the U.S., but this truly is a terrible event."

Speculation that Israel was somehow connected with the assassination drove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to issue a public denial, which he did on Thursday in a statement released by video on X, even inferring that Qatar was perhaps funding the spreading of the rumors.

"Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, said that the bigger the lie, the faster it will spread," he said. "Well, somebody has fabricated a monstrous, big lie that Israel had something to do with Charlie Kirk's horrific murder."

"This is insane. It is false. It is outrageous, Charlie Kirk was a giant. A once-in-a-century talent who defended freedom, defended America, defended our common Judeo-Christian civilization," Mr Netanyahu said.

"He encouraged me to make the case directly to the American people about how vital Israel is to U.S. national security," he added. "He told me, ‘The Holy Land is so important to my life. It pains me to see support for Israel slip away.'"

"Now, some are peddling these disgusting rumors, perhaps out of obsession, perhaps with Qatari funding," the Israeli prime minister said.

"What I do know is this: Charlie Kirk was a great man. And a great man deserves honor, not lies. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk, may your memory be a blessing."

According to a recent article in The Grayzone on 12 September 2025, which explored Kirk's increasing concerns about his country's involvement with Israel, quoting a longtime Kirk associate, the article said Mr Netanyahu had recently offered to organize a massive infusion of pro-Israel money into Turning Point USA (TPUSA) which was founded by Kirk in 2012. The offer, according to The Grayzone article, was rejected.

The article, quoting another longtime friend of the activist, confirmed Netanyahu had invited Charlie Kirk to Jerusalem to meet with him two weeks before his death. However Kirk, according to his friend, declined the invitation.