Rising Tensions Over Antisemitism in the Republican Party

At a recent symposium hosted by the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) in Washington, D.C., significant tensions within the Republican Party regarding antisemitism were brought to light. Senator Ted Cruz labeled Tucker Carlson as “the single most dangerous demagogue in the country,” emphasizing the growing concern over right-wing antisemitism. This event highlighted the party's struggle with figures like Carlson and Candace Owens, who have been accused of promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories. Cruz's remarks were met with applause, indicating a strong sentiment among attendees against these influencers.

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Vice President JD Vance's lack of public condemnation of Carlson and Owens has drawn criticism from some Jewish Republicans. While Cruz and others voiced their concerns, Vance's name was notably absent from direct criticism during the symposium. Norm Coleman, RJC's national chairman, defended Vance, stating that he has had positive discussions with him regarding Israel. However, attendees expressed impatience with Vance's silence, suggesting that his perceived coziness with the extreme right could alienate Jewish voters. Arlene Ross, an attendee, noted that the Jewish community is wary of Vance, indicating a disconnect between his stance and the expectations of some party members.

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The feud between Cruz and Carlson has intensified, particularly following Carlson's dismissive comments about those who trust Israeli intelligence. Cruz has accused Carlson of spreading antisemitism and warned that if such views prevail, both major political parties could become openly antisemitic. He emphasized the urgency of combating these ideologies, particularly among younger Republicans, where negative views of Israel have reportedly increased significantly.

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Speakers at the symposium, including Shabbos Kestenbaum, criticized the tendency of some Republican figures to cater to a radical base that harbors antisemitic sentiments. Kestenbaum's comments underscored the need for candidates to distance themselves from such ideologies to avoid electoral losses. Ben Shapiro, a conservative commentator, has also called for Vance to take a firmer stance against Carlson, reflecting a broader concern among Jewish conservatives about the party's direction.

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Cruz articulated a dire warning about the implications of unchecked antisemitism within the party, stating, “I don’t want to wake up in five years and find myself in a country where both major political parties are unambiguously antisemitic.” Coleman echoed this sentiment, asserting that while the RJC believes they are winning the fight against antisemitism, the

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