Fact Check: Did Oliver Stone slam Benjamin Netanyahu calling him a 'sick man'?

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Following Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, a rumor began spreading on social media platforms claiming that popular American filmmaker Oliver Stone slammed Netanyahu, calling him a ‘sick man.’ The claim has sparked backlash against Stone, prompting a fact-check.

Claim: Oliver Stone called Benjamin Netanyahu a 'sick man'

According to a viral post that appeared on X, Oliver Stone criticized the Israeli Prime Minister. He allegedly said, “Netanyahu is a sick man. I repeat, he is a madman. 

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."

The post has garnered tens of thousands of views as of this writing, with many accusing the Oscar-winning filmmaker of antisemitism while a few others appeared to agree with him, indicating that many believed the claim to be true, while a few others remained skeptical and questioned its authenticity.

Fact Check: Oliver Stone labelled Netanyahu a ‘madman,’ ‘a monster,' and ‘sick'

The claim is indeed true, as Oliver Stone did call Netanyahu a ‘madman,’ ‘a monster,' and ‘sick' in a 2018 unaired appearance on Stephen Colbert's show. 

“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." 

“Israel had far more involvement in the US election than Russia.” Stone then reportedly challenged Colbert, saying, “Why don’t you ask me about that?”

Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial presence at UNGA

The quote resurfaced after Netanyahu’s controversial presence at the UNGA last week, amid calls for his arrest over war crimes. 

Netanyahu, who is subject to an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, was met with protest after delegates walked out as he took to the stage. 

Netanyahu accused Mamdani of endangering Jewish New Yorkers with his criticism of Israel’s military actions 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 said.