Israel’s Minister Warns of Rising Anti-Semitism

JERUSALEM — Israel’s minister responsible for tackling anti-Semitism has expressed concern that extreme anti-Semitic rhetoric from the American right has become more troubling than traditional anti-Semitism from the far left. He is urging Washington to take action before the situation worsens.

“When I took on this role three years ago, I thought right-wing anti-Semitism was a minor issue, just a small group of neo-Nazis,” Amichai Tsikri, Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism, stated. “But now, I’m genuinely more worried about anti-Semitism on the right than the left. And I say this as a conservative myself,” he added.

Chikuli, tasked with leading Israel’s global efforts against Jew-hatred, attributed this change to a toxic blend of online influencers, conspiracy theorists, and foreign disinformation campaigns, all exacerbated by America’s cultural conflicts.

He cited prominent conservative figures, including podcast hosts linked to Tucker Carlson, who have provided platforms for Holocaust deniers and extremist conspiracy advocates.

“One of the most disturbing moments was when a well-known conservative broadcaster referred to a notorious Holocaust denier as ‘one of the most honest historians.’ That kind of support justifies hatred and makes it seem acceptable,” Chikli remarked regarding Carlson.

The minister emphasized that such rhetoric is spreading rapidly among young Americans online, regardless of their political affiliations.

“Anti-Semitism is rampant among Gen Z,” Chikuli cautioned. “They’re tuning into podcasts instead of traditional educational sources. It’s concerning when figures like Nick Fuentes and Darryl Cooper are viewed as thought leaders. They are essentially neo-Nazis.”

He noted that this trend feels orchestrated rather than spontaneous, indicating potential organized funding fueling the rise in anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiments on social media.

“You can see it,” Chikuli noted. “The same phrases pop up across numerous accounts simultaneously. This isn’t organic. Someone is financing this.”

When questioned about the potential sources of this funding, he hinted at foreign interference.

“We suspect that foreign funding, perhaps from adversarial regimes, is involved,” Chikuli stated. “It’s something the FBI needs to look into.”

He also highlighted concerning ideological links between certain right-wing isolationist factions and extremist groups.

“We can have discussions on whether the United States should send aid abroad,” Chikuli said. “However, isolationism has been co-opted and weaponized by anti-Semites and white supremacists. That’s a new and alarming trend.”

He distinguished between legitimate critique of foreign policies and arguments that stem from hatred.

“We can collaborate with isolationists, but not with neo-Nazis,” Chikuli remarked. “When someone’s fixation on Israel consumes their social media posts, that crosses from policy advocacy into hatred.”

He expressed worry about the growing influence of Islamists backed by Qatar and Turkey, suggesting that both nations are aligning with the Muslim Brotherhood to manipulate narratives in the West.

“They are making inroads in media, academia, and American politics,” Chikuli said. “And far too many in Washington remain unaware of this reality.”

Despite the challenging landscape, the minister retained hope for the Israel-U.S. relationship.

“The foundations are strong and rooted in shared values,” Chikuli affirmed. “However, we can’t afford to be naive. Anti-Semitism is escalating, and its forms are evolving. We know how these trends can develop historically, and we must not allow it to unfold again.”

Looking forward, he emphasized that the approach to combating anti-Semitism should shift from reactive to proactive, particularly in online spaces.

“There’s no stronger force than truth,” he stressed. “But truth requires defenders.”