In a highly controversial conversation with Nick Fuentes, a figure the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has labeled a “white supremacist” who has called for a “holy war against Jews” and glorified Nazi ideology, Tucker Carlson made inflammatory comments denouncing Christian Zionists and questioning their loyalty to America.
Carlson said he “dislikes Christian Zionists more than anybody,” describing their strong support for Israel as a “Christian heresy” that offends him as a believer. He accused prominent non-Jewish conservatives such as Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, and John Bolton of being “seized by this brain virus” of unwavering support for Israel. Tucker and others further implied that Christian Zionists possess dual loyalties, as though love for Israel undermines love for America or even the Church for that matter. This accusation is baseless. Scripture calls believers to bless Israel while honoring their own nation. Genuine Christians can faithfully support both—being patriotic citizens of their country and spiritual supporters of God’s covenant people, Israel.
Observers note that Carlson’s rhetoric mirrors long-discredited antisemitic tropes, especially the notion of a worldwide Jewish conspiracy controlling politics and global affairs. That narrative originates from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a Russian forgery produced by a group of antisemites in the early 20th century. It falsely purported to record the “protocols” of Jewish elders plotting world domination but was, in fact, fabricated by Czarist propagandists who sought to turn public opinion against Jews and to convince the Russian masses that communism was a Jewish conspiracy. Though thoroughly debunked, the Protocols became one of the most destructive antisemitic hoaxes in history, with its lies echoing through Nazi propaganda and modern extremist movements alike.
In contrast, Zionism—or Christian Zionism—is not political, nor is it warmongering, disloyalty to one’s nation, or racism. Rather, it is belief in the God-directed regathering of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland, as foretold by the prophets. This regathering fulfills the promises of the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1–3; 7; 13:14–17; 15:7–21; 17:7–8; 22:15-18; 26:2-5; 24; 28:13-15; 49:1-33), where God swore to give Abraham’s descendants the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession. (Genesis 12:7; 15:18; 17:8) It also affirms the unconditional Land Covenant (Deuteronomy 29:1-30:1-20; Ezekiel 16:1-63), in which God promised to restore Israel physically and spiritually after their dispersion.
The unconditional Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:11–16; 1 Chronicles 17:10-14; Psalm 89:1-52; Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6; 30:8-9; 33:14-17, 19-26; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Hosea 3:4- 5; Amos 9:11; Luke 1:30-35, 68-70; and Acts 15:14-18) declares that the Messiah, a descendant of David, will reign from Jerusalem over a restored Israel and an everlasting kingdom. The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Isaiah 55:3; 59:21; 61:8-9; Jeremiah 32:40; Ezekiel 16:60; 34:25-31; 37:26-28; and Romans 11:26-27) further reveals that God will cleanse Israel from sin, give them a new heart, and place His Spirit within them, uniting the nation once more under the Messiah’s rule.
Prophetically, Scripture speaks clearly of Israel’s regathering from the nations in the last days. Isaiah prophesied, “The Lord will set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people” (Isaiah 11:11–12). Ezekiel declared, “I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land” (Ezekiel 36:22–24). God promised to judge and refine Israel in the wilderness (Ezekiel 20:33–38; 22:17–22) and to restore them “not for your sake… but for My holy name’s sake” (Ezekiel 36:22–24). Zephaniah also urged Israel to “gather together before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you” (Zephaniah 2:1–2).
These covenants and prophecies establish that Israel’s existence is not a political accident but a divine fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
Israel has not been rejected by God. (Romans 11:1-36) The first-century religious leaders rejected their Messiah, and that brought temporary judgment in A.D. 70 (i.e., the unpardonable sin or Blasphemy or the Holy Spirt) and dispersion to the Jewish nation since they had disobeyed the conditional Mosaic covenant (Deuteronomy 29:2-30:1) Jesus declared, “Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation” (Matthew 23:36). Yet the promise of God remained and would come to fruition for a future Jewish generation who will believe in the Messiah and welcome Him with the Messianic greeting: “For I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:39).
Jesus also foretold that while the kingdom would be taken from the unbelieving leaders of His day, it would one day be given to a future nation—another Jewish generation—who would bear its fruit: “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it” (Matthew 21:43). The Church is not that nation but rather a body composed of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 5:9–10). THE CHURCH IS NOT ISRAEL! Israel’s restoration will ultimately fulfill God’s covenants, when a believing remnant of the Jewish people receives their Messiah and ushers in the long-awaited Kingdom age.
Christian Zionism, therefore, is the biblical conviction that today’s Jewish people are the physical descendants of Abraham, heirs to these covenant promises, and that they have the God-given right to live in their land, defend themselves, and exercise self-determination. This belief arises from Scripture, not political ideology.
Opposition to Israel invokes what many call God’s foreign-policy principle in Genesis 12:3: “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.” The rebirth of Israel in 1948 remains prophetically significant, marking a pivotal moment in God’s timetable and signaling the birth pains leading to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Carlson’s comments reveal a widening divide within the American conservative movement—between evangelicals who see support for Israel as obedience to God’s Word and the so called “Woke Right” who resent any spiritual or moral tie to the Jewish state.
As believers, we must continue to stand with Israel—not because of politics or personality, but because the God of Scripture keeps His promises. History has already shown the deadly fruit of antisemitic lies. The Church’s task is to confront them with truth.
By Pastor Brandon Holthaus