Hey friends, if you follow news about the buildup of antisemitism and hatred toward Jews, you may be aware of the controversy stirring around Tucker Carlson’s recent interview with a Palestinian Evangelical Lutheran pastor. Their discussion focused on Israel’s treatment of Christians, and the point suggested by the pastor was that innocent Christians are being killed in IDF attacks, thus Israel needs to end the war in Gaza and Christians worldwide should pressure Israel to do so.

In conservative circles there are definitely popular influencers who tend to draw large followings. Tucker Carlson is certainly among them, as is Candace Owens who has, at times, crossed the line into what many consider antisemitism. Somewhat surprisingly, Turning Point USA (Charlie Kirk) tweeted support of Tucker’s interview.

All three are solid conservatives and we likely agree with them on most issues. However, Tucker and Candace have slid down the slippery slope since October 7, and now TPUSA has tweeted support of Tucker’s stance in the interview. (They have also been staunch supporters of Candace Owens in her feud with Ben Shapiro.) Though I’m not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water, it is wise to be reminded that we must be VERY careful about what we see and hear, and we must ALWAYS anchor ourselves in the truth of God’s Word. Even if it contradicts other powerful voices in the conservative movement. God’s Word is our guide.

Thankfully, other key voices such as former US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, and brilliant historian, Victor Davis Hanson, spoke out from a perspective true to God’s Word. (Friedman is Jewish and Hanson is a strong, well-respected Christian.) Here is a 10-minute interview in which Victor David Hanson refutes the premise of the Carlson interview.

Definitely some valuable food for thought from Victor Davis Hanson. Here are a few more tidbits:

• When Israel controlled Bethlehem, roughly 80% of citizens (mostly Palestinians) were Christians. That dropped to less than 30% when Jordan took over, as Palestinian Christians fled to Israel or other nations more accepting of Christians. It rose again to over 60% when Bethlehem returned to Israeli control following the Six Day War in 1967, then shrunk to less than 20% under Palestinian control after the early 2000’s. Christians thrive in Israel, and many flee there from other Muslim-controlled areas.
• While we all agree that even one innocent death is too many, Israel fights in the most difficult urban warzone in history. The Gazan Health Ministry cannot verify their death toll in general, much less in numbers of Christians. In ratio of civilians to soldiers, the death rate in this war is far lower than in other wars, despite the clear fact that Hamas uses innocent civilians (including the very small population of Palestinian Christians) as human shields.

Of final note, ISIS burned down entire Christian villages in Nigeria just days ago. (Which isn’t an unusual occurrence.) Where is the outrage among those supposedly fighting for Christians? Have you heard Tucker or Candace use their influence to speak out on behalf of those Christians? Why only Palestinian Christians?

Be wise as serpents, my friends. Don’t be deceived, even by those who “stand on our side.” God’s Word is our anchor. We must love what God loves and hate what God hates. Israel is not perfect, and we are not supportive of everything they do (nor should we be). However, they are uniquely called by God, and we are commanded to stand with them against the enemy’s onslaught. The propaganda war in Gaza rages every bit as much as the “real war.” Be aware…and be wise!