The Great Antisemitism Distraction: Carlson, Shapiro, and the News Media Stagecraft

Editor's note: Carlson's narrative on Israel is intentional. It's a structured approach for getting Jews to consider going to Israel for Pax Judaica. Most American Jews are probably shaking their heads in bewilderment by now. It's as if Carlson is running a covert PR campaign by capturing the zeitgeist: who else could single-handedly make every Jewish watchdog group unite in bewildered fury and still claim he's just trying to help Jews get back to Israel? The Carlson–Shapiro "antisemitism feud" plays less like a moral reckoning and more like scripted outrage for mass consumption. It is a shiny distraction while something far more consequential is going on offstage while being scripted by the news media. Who's idea was it to award Carlson with "Antisemite of the Year?" Pax Judaica's best friend is antisemitism.
________

Tucker Carlson named 'Antisemite of the Year' for opposing Israel's genocide in Gaza

Pro-Israeli group uses public shaming to punish Israel's critics and claims to have caused 400 people to lose jobs

By Elis Gjevori | December 22, 2025

A US pro-Israel advocacy group has named political commentator and journalist Tucker Carlson as its "Antisemite of the Year," citing his opposition to Israel's genocide in Gaza.

StopAntisemitism announced the designation on Sunday, accusing Carlson of hostility towards Israel after he used his podcast and media appearances to criticise the war and the political influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups in Washington.

Carlson, whose online platform reaches millions, has become one of the most prominent rightwing voices denouncing Israel's grip on US politics, particularly since Tel Aviv launched its war on Gaza on 7 October 2023.

He has singled out the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), calling its influence "an ongoing humiliation ritual" for American lawmakers and the country, and has warned that the US is complicit in Israel's war.

He has also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, of openly boasting about his leverage over US leaders.

"[Netanyahu] is running around, this is a fact..., the Middle East, his region and his own country and telling people point blank, just stating it, 'I control the United States. I control Donald Trump,'" Carlson said in September during an interview with journalist Glenn Greenwald.

Carlson has further criticised Christian Zionism, describing it as a major force shaping unconditional US backing for Israel.

"The single biggest threat to Christianity in this country [US] is Christian Zionism," he said, accusing its adherents of treating Israel's founding and military dominance as a biblical mandate.

"They're not Christians; they're heretics," he added.

Punishing critics of Israel

StopAntisemitism has claimed Carlson targeted prominent pro-Israel commentator Ben Shapiro, for prioritising Israel while the United States faces deepening domestic crises.

Steve Bannon, former White House strategist for US President Donald Trump who remains a closy ally, launched scathing criticism of Shapiro over the weekend at a major conservative convention.

"Ben Shapiro is like a cancer, and that cancer spreads," Bannon declared to cheers from the crowd calling him a "Israel First" political pundit.

Please go to MEE to continue reading.