Stance toward Israel

During the boycott controversy, they wrote in the Times: “That we support the company’s decision is not a contradiction nor is it anti-Semitic. In fact, we believe this act can and should be seen as advancing the concepts of justice and human rights, core tenets of Judaism.”

They further stated, “As Jewish supporters of the State of Israel, we fundamentally reject the notion that it is anti-Semitic to question the policies of the State of Israel.”

The interview also casts doubt on Cohen’s current stance toward Israel. While primarily focused on other topics, when discussing conflict with Iran, Cohen made inflammatory claims about Israel.

Critical of U.S. too

“There seems to be some kind of strange relationship between Israel and the U.S., where, I don’t know, Israel now has the U.S. supplying weapons for its genocide,” Cohen said. “And what I’m told is that Israel wants some concept of greater Israel. I mean, I don’t really know much about that.”

He continued with broader criticism: “Right now what it means to be American is that we are the world’s largest arms exporter, we have the largest military in the world, we support the slaughter of people in Gaza, if somebody protests the slaughter of people in Gaza, we arrest them. What does our country stand for?”

Cohen has made similar accusations earlier this year, claiming in March: “The U.S. supporting this genocide is essentially trampling on the soul of America,” adding, “It’s not a war, it’s a slaughter. I don’t think there’s much difference between somebody getting killed by a bomb or getting killed by being thrown in a gas chamber.”

Carlson did not challenge Cohen’s statements about Israel during the interview but agreed with his praise of Jesus. Cohen has recently promoted a website supporting DOGE, Elon Musk’s initiative to reduce federal government programs. Requests for comment through this website went unanswered.

Originally published by Israel Hayom.