Israeli Minister Condemns Tucker Carlson as Platform for Antisemitism

Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, has strongly criticized US media personality Tucker Carlson, accusing him of offering a platform for antisemitic rhetoric. Chikli’s condemnation follows a recent interview on Carlson’s show featuring economist Jeffrey Sachs, during which Sachs promoted several conspiracy theories targeting Israel.

Chikli took to social media on Tuesday, writing: “Congratulations to Tucker Carlson for becoming the leading platform for fringe Holocaust deniers, conspiracy theorists, and blood libel enthusiasts who oppose the State of Israel.”

The interview in question saw Sachs claim that Israel has long controlled US foreign policy in the Middle East, alleging that the Jewish state orchestrated American opposition to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Sachs described Assad’s regime, widely regarded as one of the most brutal in the world, as “harmless” to US interests and attributed its downfall to Israeli influence.

Sachs further suggested that Israel had pushed the US into wars in Iraq and Iran and abandoned the concept of “land for peace,” accusing the Jewish state of territorial expansionism. He referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies as part of a "crazy ambition" to establish a so-called “Greater Israel.”

Sachs’s statements drew sharp criticism from experts and advocacy groups for promoting false narratives. Assad’s regime, allied with Iran and Russia, has been accused of war crimes, including chemical attacks on civilians, indiscriminate bombings, and mass killings. Just this week, reports emerged of a mass grave near Damascus containing 100,000 victims of Assad’s brutal rule.

Chikli’s rebuke comes amid growing scrutiny of Carlson’s media platform. Since leaving Fox News in 2023, Carlson has hosted numerous controversial figures with histories of promoting antisemitism or defending authoritarian regimes. In September, Carlson faced backlash for featuring a guest who minimized the Holocaust and echoed Nazi propaganda.

Carlson’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he referred to as a “rat,” has also drawn outrage. Zelensky, who is Jewish, has been a target of misinformation campaigns accusing him of persecuting Christians, despite Ukraine’s democratic governance and diverse religious freedoms.

Chikli’s remarks underscore Israel’s broader concern about rising antisemitism worldwide. “Silence is complicity,” Chikli said in his post, urging vigilance against platforms that amplify hate speech. Carlson’s show has been accused of normalizing dangerous rhetoric, with implications for Jewish communities and allies of Israel globally.

This latest controversy highlights the importance of combating antisemitism at every level, ensuring that harmful narratives do not gain traction in mainstream discourse.

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