California Governor Gavin Newsom said he regrets describing Israel as an "apartheid state," walking back comments he made three weeks ago in a new interview with Politico published Tuesday.

The Democratic governor clarified that when he used the controversial term, he intended it to apply to Israel's potential future direction rather than its current status. Newsom indicated he was referencing concerns about the trajectory Israel might take under certain leadership.

According to reports, Newsom said he was drawing from commentary by New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies and their potential long-term implications for the region.

Newsom, who is widely viewed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, appeared to be attempting to clarify his position on the sensitive geopolitical issue. The original comments had drawn attention given his national political profile and California's significant Jewish population.

The governor's remarks reflect ongoing debates within Democratic circles about how to address Israeli policies while maintaining support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. The term "apartheid state" is particularly controversial, as it draws comparisons to South Africa's former system of racial segregation.