ASR Interview with Rabbi Tovia Singer - Alan Skorski Reports

Why Tucker Carlson And Candace Owens Adopted the Most Virulently Antisemitic Denominations of Christianity: Interview With Rabbi Tovia Singer Rabbi Tovia Singer, a leading expert on Christian theology and counter-missionary work, is warning of what he describes as a troubling rise in antisemitic rhetoric among some high-profile conservative commentators, naming Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens as examples. In a recent interview with podcaster Alan Skorski, Singer said he is increasingly concerned that voices once seen as part of a pro-Israel conservative coalition are now echoing themes long associated with antisemitic conspiracy theories. Singer, whose work has focused for decades on countering Christian proselytizing aimed at Jews, discussed the evolution of Christian Zionism, calling it a relatively modern movement that has become a powerful force in American politics. He estimated that about one in five Americans now identifies as a Christian Zionist, making it one of the country’s largest political blocs. The rabbi traced the roots of Christian antisemitism back to early church history, citing anti-Jewish writings by figures such as St. John Chrysostom and the role of Pope Pius XII during the Holocaust — often criticized by historians for his silence in the face of Nazi atrocities. Singer said antisemitic teachings were embedded for centuries across Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions. He linked those historical patterns to modern conspiracy thinking, referencing the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a forged document from the early 1900s that falsely claimed Jews were plotting world domination. Singer said echoes of those ideas can now be heard in some contemporary political commentary that portrays Jews as wielding outsized control over media, finance and government. Singer was particularly critical of Candace Owens, describing her embrace of a traditionalist strain of Catholicism that rejects the reforms of the Second Vatican Council as deeply alarming. He said that version of the faith revives doctrines portraying Jews as rejected by God and permanently stripped of their covenant — ideas he called both theologically dangerous and politically combustible. Owens converted after her marriage to political activist George Farmer and amid public splits with prominent Jewish conservatives such as Ben Shapiro and Dennis Prager, Singer noted. By contrast, Singer praised the late Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, whom he described as exceptional among evangelical leaders for defending not only Israel but the Jewish people themselves. Singer said Kirk’s influence reshaped the conservative movement and predicted that, had he lived, he could have become a presidential contender within a decade. Kirk was assassinated in September 2025, and Singer said there is now an internal struggle over his political legacy. He added that President Donald Trump remains firmly pro-Jewish and pro-Israel, describing that stance as consistent with the values of the Trump family. Singer reserved some of his sharpest criticism for Tucker Carlson, accusing the former Fox News host of hostility toward Israel and contempt for Christian Zionists. He pointed to Carlson’s interview with Palestinian pastor Munther Isaac, who accused Israel of persecuting Christians in Bethlehem. Singer disputed that claim, noting that Bethlehem is under Palestinian Authority control and that its Christian population has fallen dramatically over the past half-century — from about 80% to roughly 5% — largely because of emigration driven by political and economic conditions, not Israeli policy. Carlson, who now hosts a widely followed podcast after leaving Fox News, has said he identifies as an Episcopalian but rarely attends church. Singer ended the interview with pointed irony. -VIN News Alan Skorski Reports 15JAN2025 - PODCAST