A major controversy has erupted involving prominent American conservative commentators and an Israeli lawmaker, centering on accusations of being declared 'enemies' of the state. The firestorm began after Candace Owens made a bold claim on social media platform X this week.
The Accusation: "Likud Just Named Us as Enemies"
Candace Owens shared an article from Washington Jewish Week and reacted strongly. She stated, "The Likud party in Israel just named me and Tucker Carlson as enemies that must be fought." In a subsequent post, she escalated her rhetoric, calling the individuals involved "murderers" and alleging, "Murderers are threatening me and Tucker Carlson over speech." Owens also questioned the stance of the United States government, asking, "How is this at all acceptable to our government?" Her posts quickly went viral, drawing intense reactions from both supporters and critics globally.
The Speech That Started It All
The incident was triggered by a speech delivered in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday. During his address, Likud member of parliament Dan Illouz issued a warning about what he described as harmful ideologies originating from the West. Illouz contrasted traditional external threats with a new internal danger from an ally.
"We are used to enemies from outside. We fight terror tunnels of Hamas. We fight the ballistic missiles of Iran," Illouz said. "But today I look at the West, our greatest ally, and I see a new enemy rising from within." He specifically identified the source of this perceived threat: "I am speaking of a poison being sold to the American people as patriotism. I’m speaking of the intellectual vandalism of Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens."
Backlash and the Lawmaker's Direct Response
Following Owens's online posts, a wave of support for her emerged. One user questioned, "Why are Israeli politicians labeling lawful American citizens who exercise their First Amendment rights as enemies of the state of Israel? Since when did American patriotism become 'poison'?"
Dan Illouz then responded directly to Candace Owens on X. He clarified his position, stating, "A quick civics lesson for RealCandaceO: In a democracy, a Member of Parliament speaking is a debate, not 'the Party.' This is the freedom America gifted the world." He firmly rejected any interpretation of his words as a physical threat, framing the conflict as ideological. "This is a civilizational battle of ideas. Any insinuation of violence is just a desperate silencing tactic," Illouz asserted, adding that he would counter with "truth and stronger arguments."
This exchange occurs amidst existing criticism of both Carlson and Owens for their past content and statements. Tucker Carlson has faced scrutiny for hosting far-right activist Nick Fuentes, known for antisemitic views. Candace Owens has also made pointed comments about Israel in recent months. Notably, after the killing of activist Charlie Kirk, Owens suggested possible foreign involvement without providing concrete evidence.
The ongoing debate highlights the escalating tensions between public figures across nations, focusing intensely on the limits of free speech, the nature of political discourse, and the complex dynamics of international alliances. The war of words continues to unfold primarily on digital platforms, drawing global attention to the intersection of media, politics, and international relations.
