Netanyahu Blasts Carlson For Defending America’s ‘Worst Enemies’

He wasn’t the only U.S. conservative in his crosshairs…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is firing back at former Fox host Tucker Carlson and commentator Candace Owens, who accused him of trying to exploit Charlie Kirk’s death for political gain. Netanyahu dismissed questions about his motives as a “monstrous big lie.”

He also ripped speculative theorists pushing baseless claims that Israel was tied to Kirk’s assassination — saying they were driven “perhaps out of obsession, perhaps with Qatari funding.”

As Mediaite’s Alex Griffing reports, some of Netanyahu’s harshest remarks came Wednesday in a conversation with author and filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza, where he accused Carlson of giving comfort to America’s “worst enemies.”

D’Souza released a clip from the film on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, set to be released in early October, on Wednesday. In the preview clip, D’Souza asks Netanyahu, “In a recent exchange between Tucker Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz, Tucker Carlson said, ‘Are you saying that the Jews in Israel under Netanyahu are the descendants of the ancient Israelites who are described in the Bible?’”

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Netanyahu elaborated further, while D’Souza listened closely:

“Of course, there’s no question about it. The Jews spread from this land to various parts of Europe, to the Middle East, and elsewhere, but we never, never forgot this land. We said, ‘Next year in Jerusalem, next year in Jerusalem.’ My great-grandfather came here in the 19th century. Most of the Palestinians who are alive today came after him,” Netanyahu replied, adding:

That’s what our history has been: on the one hand, regaining our ancient ancestral homeland, and on the other, developing a state that becomes a juggernaut of technology and development. We’re Silicon Valley in the Middle East, a democratic society in the face of enormous attacks from countries that want to annihilate us every day.

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Netanyahu went on to address Carlson directly, “Who is Tucker Carlson defending? These are people who chant ‘Death to America.’ They’re after you. They want to destroy Western civilization. They want to destroy everything that America stands for. They say Israel is a small Satan. The big Satan is America.”

“Lion-Hearted Friend of Israel”

In a video posted on X after Kirk’s assassination, Netanyahu hailed him as a “lion-hearted friend of Israel” who had always loved and supported the country. He dismissed Carlson’s claim that Kirk had privately turned against him.

Carlson — joined by a small but influential circle of right-wing commentators — countered that Kirk had grown frustrated with Netanyahu, describing him as a “destructive force” who used U.S. backing to cement Israel’s agenda.

A Complicated Stance

There is evidence that Kirk’s relationship with Israel — and Netanyahu in particular — had grown more complicated during the Gaza war. While he consistently affirmed his pro-Israel identity and largely blamed Hamas for civilian deaths, he also expressed skepticism about Israeli decisions, raised uncomfortable questions, and voiced unease that suggested his support was not unconditional.

Just five days after the Hamas-led terror attack on Oct. 7, 2023, Kirk cast doubt on Israel’s intelligence failures in an appearance on the Patrick Bet-David Podcast. Calling Israel “a fortress,” Kirk mused how Israel’s intelligence failed to detect the first large-scale invasion of its territory since 1948, adding, “I find this very hard to believe,” and openly wondered whether a “stand-down order” had been issued. He noted that for six hours “they’re live-streaming the killing of Jews” and argued that “legitimate questions” needed to be asked.

Later that month, he publicly questioned Israel’s strike near Gaza’s 12th-century St. Porphyrius Church, which killed civilians sheltering insider. While careful not to condemn Israel outright, he demanded greater transparency, saying “contrition and a full accounting should be the top of Israel’s priority list.” He admitted disappointment in Israel’s response.

Throughout, Kirk remained broadly pro-Israel. He consistently emphasized his lifelong defense of the country, defended its sovereignty, and pushed back against narratives he saw as propaganda. But he also admitted a frustration: American commentators like him had less freedom to question Netanyahu than Israelis themselves.

Why Netanyahu Pushes the Narrative

After Kirk’s death, Israel’s leader lauded him as an unwavering ally. By highlighting his loyalty while omitting his criticisms, Netanyahu reinforces Israel’s standing with American conservatives — especially younger ones — at a time when support is under strain.

But the strategy carries risks. If U.S. conservatives recall Kirk’s own words, Netanyahu’s framing could come across as manipulative — potentially alienating the very audience he hopes to keep onside.

The Bigger Picture

Kirk’s legacy underscores a generational shift on the American right — even he wasn’t ready to hand Netanyahu a blank check.

By clashing with Carlson — whose foreign policy views and historical revisionism have distanced him from the GOP mainstream — and elevating Kirk’s pro-Israel credentials, observers say Netanyahu is trying to solidify international support as the Gaza war nears 1,000 days.

Whether the gamble pays off or backfires comes down to how Kirk is remembered: a friend of Israel willing to press hard questions, or a loyal supporter who never wavered.

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