Sen. Ted Cruz Confronts Growing Anti-Semitism at RJC Summit

At the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) summit in Las Vegas on Thursday night, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) highlighted a critical moment for the Republican Party regarding the rise of anti-Semitism on the right.

“I’ve never witnessed this level of right-wing anti-Semitism in my life—it’s been shocking,” Cruz remarked during his address. “This is toxic, and I believe our party, and our country, are facing a fundamental crisis.”

Typically, the opening event of the conference is reserved for RJC’s top donors and leaders, but Cruz’s speech was shared with the media prior to the gathering. This followed a day buzzing with reactions to a video in which Kevin Roberts from the Heritage Foundation supported Tucker Carlson for interviewing anti-Semite Nick Fuentes.

Roberts received accolades for his opposition to cancel culture, yet others were taken aback by how Fuentes seemed to redirect criticism toward his extremist views on foreign policy.

Cruz criticized Carlson for allowing anti-Semites a platform and emphasized the need for the GOP to reject anti-Semitism. He pointed out that Democrats have long taken measures against anti-Semitic sentiments thriving among their ranks, and Republicans shouldn’t repeat this mistake.

“It’s a handful of voices disseminating this nonsense,” Cruz told the RJC audience. “This is our chance to make a decision.”

The phrase “A Time to Choose” is a familiar one, evoking Ronald Reagan’s address during the 1964 Republican National Convention, which, despite Barry Goldwater’s loss, solidified Reagan’s standing in conservative circles.

Cruz was vocal about Carlson’s podcast as well: “If someone says that Winston Churchill was a villain and you just nod along, or if they argue that America should’ve been on the side of Nazi Germany in World War II, and you don’t speak up, then you’re complicit and cowardly.”

He also noted that some Democratic senators feel powerless as anti-Semitism proliferates within their party yet refrain from expressing dissenting views.

The RJC summit will formally commence on Friday, marking the organization’s 40th anniversary, which was established in the 1980s to provide a voice for politically conservative Jews in the Republican Party.

Over the decades, the RJC has played a crucial role in supporting Republican candidates at every level and strengthening the pro-Israel faction within the party.