It is never fun to start a week with controversial material, but I think this bears mentioning. I sat through an excruciating interview conducted by Tucker Carlson, making the case that Christians are treated horribly in Israel, while being welcomed with open arms in other Muslim countries. Here is some of Tucker’s opening monologue:

Let’s set the record straight just on those comments alone. Not only has the Christian population in Israel grown exponentially (some say over 350%) since Israel’s rebirth as a nation, but Christians are free to practice their faith without interference from the government. Particularly in recent years, many Israelis have recognized that their only true friends in the world are Christians.

Meanwhile, Christians have fled virtually every other country in the Middle East, as terrorist groups target them in many places. There are small pockets, in Jordan for example, where Christians are able to practice their faith, but it is typically guarded and contained only within areas of greater liberation than others.

Before going further, let’s clarify two things: not every “Christian” in the Middle East is a saint, and not every Arab is evil. Indeed, I have observed with my own eyes deeply committed Christians, both Arab and Messianic Jews, working and ministering side-by-side to those in need, whether Jews, Arabs, Palestinians, Bedouins, Druze or otherwise. The love of Jesus flows out of them and their congregations are growing! (Example, example, example)

Christianity is alive in Israel and the eyes of both Jews and Arabs are awakening to the Messiah. For example, teachings and podcasts of ONE FOR ISRAEL get millions of hits from inside Israel and the Middle East. Bold Israeli believers are not only growing in number but are also reaching into populations foreign-born Christians cannot reach. Christians serve in the IDF, hold positions in government, and are trusted professionals. And who supports Christian ministries in Israel? Christians from around the world, primarily from America.

Though challenged at times by Ultraorthodox factions within Israel, the government and the courts have stood firm in allowing Christian ministries to thrive in Israel. Such is very rarely the case in other Middle East countries.

But, back to the Carlson interviews…

“Christianity” is a multi-faceted thing among Arabs. Again, some of the most “on fire” servants I know are Arab Christians in Israel. However, many claiming to be Christians cite the millennia of “following Jesus” as their foundation for arguing a case for their brand of Christianity. Admittedly, “Christianity” is very complicated in the Middle East because all of us bring our cultural background and baggage to the discussion. Thus, it is wise to stop short of denying a person’s Christianity if they claim it. Only God knows a person’s heart. But assessment of statements often compels me to wonder if we are talking about the same Jesus.

For example, discussion with Middle East Christians often turns toward the Palestinian plight. Yes, I believe life is very hard in war-torn places like Gaza, and I wish innocent people did not have to suffer. But what is “innocent?” When kids are dressed in Hamas outfits, given guns before they reach puberty, and proclaim that their greatest ambition is to kill Jews, is that an “innocent” society? And, is it really genocide when your population actually dramatically increases, and when the IDF provides information about where and when they will bomb a rocket launching facility and provide a safe route out?

A second example straight from the full interview is that, as Christians, these interviewees touted the Quran’s references to Jesus, his mother Mary, and other Christian characters and events. Their point, as Christians, seems to be that the Quran is trustworthy in portraying Jesus Christ, so we should be tolerant of the Islamic faith. All Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) should hold hands, sing kumbaya, and be one big happy family. Yet we know that the teachings of the Quran are a direct antithesis to God’s Word. Both can’t be correct, and one cannot be accepting of the other without fatal compromise. (So, at which side is Carlson aiming for compromise?)

Yes, I endured the 1.5-hour interview in order to get full context of Tucker Carlson’s comments and what I discovered was not surprising but did make me literally sick. He took every opportunity to demonize Israel, he voiced his agreement with virtually every untruthful statement the two interviewees made, and he verbally annihilated US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. Part of Carlson’s schtick is to degrade and demonize Christian Zionists, of which Huckabee proudly claims to be. (A Zionist is a person who believes Israel has a right to their homeland. Being a Christian with that belief earns one the title of Christian Zionist. Count me in.)

BTW – Huckabee immediately challenged Carlson to talk TO him rather than ABOUT him, and I believe the two are working to schedule an interview. That might be worth watching! Pray for God to grant Mike Huckabee incredible wisdom and discernment. Carlson is a slick operator. May the Lord cause him to be honest in his assessments and project only the truth.

Finally, why is it that Tucker Carlson refuses to have substantive interviews with people like Pastor Saleem Shalash, an Arab pastor in Nazareth who loves Jesus and serves every Arab, Jew, Palestinian or otherwise who seeks help? Why not interview Pastor Israel Pochtar, a Messianic Jewish pastor who works side-by-side with his Arab brothers to build bridges of peace? What not interview Pastor Nain Khoury, a Palestinian pastor in Bethlehem who believes prayer is the only thing that sustains his congregation as they minister to Palestinians in Bethlehem.

Tucker doesn’t interview those people because the truth of their lives and ministries would absolutely destroy the narrative he seeks to spread. Instead, Carlson would rather interview Nick Fuentes (a self-avowed antisemite), and crack pots whose narratives fit his bent on bashing Israel. He has crawled in the hip pocket of Qatar, the world’s largest funder of terror, and it would destroy that cakewalk to introduce the truth.

With each such interview, and with every demonization of Israel, Carlson proves more and more that he prefers antisemitism to Biblical truth, though he consistently calls himself a Christian. One cannot hate what God loves and love what God hates and remain consistent to the teaching of God’s Word. Yet he remains the darling of conservatives.

Wake up, Christian friends. We are being led like sheep to the slaughter. Get in God’s Word…learn the truth…and speak out against the lies. Lying is all Tucker Carlson does these days.