Conservatives claim to be fighting antisemitism. Don’t believe them.

“Shalom, Mahmoud,” the Trump White House declared last week on social media, celebrating the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student at Columbia University. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Khalil at his doorstep as he returned home with his wife, eight months pregnant with their first child.
It took Khalil’s lawyers more than 24 hours to learn that he had been moved to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana operated by the private prison company GEO Group.
The motive for the arrest, however, wasn’t a mystery. Khalil was a lead spokesperson for Columbia’s student protests against Israel’s horrific war in Gaza. In recent weeks, pro-Israel advocates have been clamoring for the deportation of noncitizen student activists in the name of fighting antisemitism.
Last October, the Heritage Foundation included this recommendation in Project Esther, a set of strongarm policies to stifle the movement for Palestinian rights. Much like its better-known cousin Project 2025, Esther is an unabashedly authoritarian document. It calls on the Trump administration to “disrupt” and “degrade” pro-Palestinian advocacy using a variety of tactics lifted from the sordid history of McCarthyism in America. These range from the deportation of noncitizens to the levying of criminal and civil prosecution against activists, attacks on the nonprofit status of NGOs and liberal foundations, and public vilification campaigns against social justice leaders.
Khalil's arrest, and the administration’s parallel efforts to defund and intimidate higher education institutions like Columbia in the name of fighting antisemitism, are lifted straight from the Project Esther playbook. And while student organizers such as Khalil and institutions like Columbia are the first target, they won’t be the last.
Upon Project Esther’s release, reporters noticed that there were few actual Jewish groups involved. Rather, it was backed mostly by a who’s who of conservative Christian groups, one of which, ironically, is named In Defense of Christians. Project Esther lamented that the American Jewish community “may be blind and deaf” or “in such disbelief that they cannot even acknowledge the threat.” Such accusations have been lobbed by Christians at Jews for centuries — only this time, instead of burning us at the stake for being “in disbelief,” they are claiming to fight on our behalf.
Project Esther is named after the heroine of the biblical Book of Esther, celebrated on the Jewish holiday of Purim, who uses her influence over an ancient Persian king to save the Jewish people from genocidal persecution. Indeed, one of the stranger unsettling facts of our time is that conservative Christians are pushing themselves to the front of the fight against antisemitism and claiming, in essence, to be better Jews than the Jews themselves.
“This is our moment, it is for this time that Christians, like Esther, have to stand up against these anti-Israel decrees,” Pastor Mario Bramnick, a leading figure behind Heritage’s initiative, stated last March while visiting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders on a delegation.
Their motives, however, are often less than altruistic. Most Christian Zionist leaders believe that support for Israel can help bring about the biblical end times, when Jesus will return and establish a global Christian dominion that leaves little room for Jewish, Muslim or any other faiths. “Israel is God’s end time clock,” proclaimed Pastor Bramnick in a sermon, “but it is also God’s end time glory.”
The right-wing Christian lobby group Family Research Council, one of the initial members of Heritage’s antisemitism task force, featured a speaker at last year’s annual conference who outlined a grim end times prediction in which two-thirds of world Jewry would die.
“God’s not done yet with Israel,” the speaker proclaimed, “and so we look forward to a massive number of Jewish people coming to faith in Yeshua, in Jesus.” Bramnick, too, once gave a speech calling on Christian Zionists to “embrace our Jewish brethren and tell them about the love of Messiah and the day that we are living in.”
Even while claiming to strenuously oppose antisemitism, many Christian Zionists seem perversely excited that its rise may be a harbinger of the Second Coming. Last summer, Luke Moon, another Heritage task force leader, helped organize a rally against antisemitism outside Columbia. The day before the rally, Sean Feucht, Moon’s co-organizer and a popular Christian musician, could barely contain his excitement. “We’re seeing this rise and this flood of antisemitism across the world — yes, these are the end days,” he told his followers in an Instagram livestream. “We’re one day closer to the return of Jesus, and as that ramps up, we’re going to see a rise ... of hatred for the Jewish people.”
While Project Esther sets its sights on undergraduates, antisemitism continues to flourish on the right. Elon Musk and Steve Bannon are trying to turn the Nazi salute into an acceptable “ironic” public gesture for conservative leaders. In recent weeks, some of the country’s most popular podcasters — whose endorsements and platforms helped Trump win reelection — have hosted guests who promote antisemitic conspiracy theories, raising alarm even among conservative media leaders.
There certainly has been some genuine antisemitism at campus protests, even if more commonly the charge has been indiscriminately conflated with legitimate criticism of Israel or with brands of ultra-radicalism that sooner suggest political immaturity than anti-Jewish animus. But the richest person on the planet who is actively dismantling the federal government, or a podcaster with an audience in the tens of millions, hold much more power than any undergraduate or professor on a college campus. It is clear where the greater threat to Jewish safety lies.
When Trump declares “Shalom, Mahmoud” as he launches an attack on civil liberties, he may well fan the flames of the antisemitism he claims to combat. Recent polling shows support for Israel at historic lows across the American public, but powerful Christian Zionists — such as U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — stand ready to deepen American backing.
By putting a “kosher” label on their anti-democratic project, the Christian conservatives behind Project Esther can conveniently keep their own influence hidden from view. If this deflection ends up feeding the falsehood that a conspiracy of Jewish power lurks behind the scenes, then this rise in antisemitism is just further proof to their followers that the end times are near. Maybe that is precisely the point.
Ben Lorber is a senior research analyst at Political Research Associates, focusing on white nationalism and antisemitism. He is the co-author of "Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism."
Topics
-
The left talks about antisemitism. The right actually fights it.
A Republican consulting firm has helped build a department to fight antisemitism and support Israel, while the Democratic Party has failed to crack down on pro-Hamas mobs and has defended a Hamas ...The Hill - 1d -
As Markets Whipsaw, Conservative Media Shrugs
Many conservative websites have either ignored the recent stock declines or framed them in a positive way.The New York Times - 4d -
Fighting for the return of Nazi-looted art
New guidelines agreed to last year by 21 nations (including the U.S.), and a recent French law, may make it easier for Jewish families to claim ownership of artworks that they believe were sold ...CBS News - Mar. 9 -
'Many ways to hunt' - Palace's fight for WSL survival
Crystal Palace may be fighting for Women's Super League survival but their new manager Leif Smerud does not want them to be easy prey.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Bengals are telling Trey Hendrickson what they seemed to be saying at combine. Maybe we should have believed them
Losing Hendrickson could be integral to keeping Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins — and a deeper look at his production could explain the Bengals' approach.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 7 -
Trump Pulled $400 million From Columbia. Other Schools Could Be Next.
The administration has circulated a list that includes nine other campuses, accusing them of failure to address antisemitism.The New York Times - Mar. 9 -
Universities Have a New Tactic to Keep Athletes From Transferring: Charge Them
Some schools believe buyout clauses in N.I.L. contracts could compel players to stay.The New York Times - 3d -
James Carville is wrong. Democrats should fight, not ‘play dead.’
Democrats must fight back against Trump and his agenda, as a lack of action will make them appear weak and Americans will despise weakness.The Hill - Mar. 8 -
Fanmio lawsuit claims Ryan Garcia 'feigned' injury to get out of exhibition fight
An entertainment company says boxer Ryan Garcia feigned an injury last year to back out of an exhibition fight, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in California. Fanmio, ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
They had a fairytale American childhood - but was radiation slowly killing them?
Campaigners in St Louis want support for those who claim to have become ill due to research into the atomic bomb.BBC News - 1d -
What’s Next for Mahmoud Khalil? A Fight to Keep His Case in New York.
The Trump administration’s effort to have his case heard in Louisiana could let some of America’s most conservative judges set a precedent on deportations.The New York Times - 1h -
Chargers agree to 2-year, $13 million deal with cornerback Donte Jackson: Report
The Chargers reached a two-year, $13 million deal with free agent cornerback Donte Jackson on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jackson had 38 total tackles and a career-high five ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 10 -
WATCH: Endangered cheetah sanctuary breaks ground in Africa
Cheetah Conservation Fund founder Laurie Marker discusses her organization’s fight to save cheetahs throughout the continent.ABC News - Mar. 7 -
What is an autopen at center of Biden pardon claims?
President Trump said Monday he thinks last-minute pardons from former President Biden are “void” due to them being signed with an autopen. Biden pardoned multiple political enemies of the president ...The Hill - 57m -
How to Reduce Gun Deaths? One Group Teaches Young People How to Use Them.
An organization in Chicago is trying to apply a strategy used for fighting drug addiction to reduce gun violence.The New York Times - 14h -
Newsmax paid $40M to settle Smartmatic defamation claims: Filing
Conservative cable channel Newsmax paid $40 million to settle a 2020 election defamation lawsuit brought by voting systems software provider Smartmatic out of court, a new filing shows. The ...The Hill - 3d -
Guardiola relishing 'big fight' for Champions League qualification
Pep Guardiola said he is not deflated at having to battle for a place in next season's Champions League and believes doing so would be a "huge success" in a difficult season for Manchester ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
DOJ claims soldiers offered documents to Chinese buyers
Two active duty soldiers and one former soldier have been arrested, accused of stealing U.S. military secrets and selling them to buyers in China in what the attorney general is calling a ...NBC News - Mar. 8 -
Public Health Survived the Pandemic. Now It Fights Politics.
Five years after the pandemic began, many local health officials say that the politicization of Covid has left them with fewer tools and fresh challenges.The New York Times - 4d -
Australia cops say apparent antisemitic terror wave was a "criminal con"
Australian police say a wave of seemingly antisemitic attacks and threats was really a "fabricated terrorist plot, essentially a criminal con job."CBS News - Mar. 10 -
A veteran conservative lawmaker is sworn in as Greece’s new president
Veteran conservative lawmaker Constantine Tassoulas has been sworn in as Greece’s new president, replacing Katerina SakellaropoulouABC News - 4d -
GOP senator knocks 'false' Tucker Carlson allegation he's fighting against JFK assassination files release
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) is denying an accusation from conservative pundit Tucker Carlson that he worked to block the release of sensitive government information related to the assassination of ...The Hill - 6d -
Miami Beach mayor targets local cinema for screening Oscar winner 'No Other Land'
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner has threatened to remove a nonprofit art house cinema from city-owned property after it decided to screen the Academy Award-winning documentary 'No Other Land', ...The Hill - 4d -
Education Department says 60 universities under investigation for antisemitism
The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is investigating 60 universities for antisemitism, according to letters sent on Monday. The department said the 60 institutions are ...The Hill - Mar. 10 -
Trump is using antisemitism as a pretext for a war on the first amendment | Judith Levine
The Trump administration is not interested in combating antisemitism. It just wants to silence its opponents instead. On Saturday night, agents of the Department of Homeland Security arrested and ...The Guardian - 5d -
Trump defends mass firings, claiming many federal workers 'don't work at all'
President Trump said he feels "very badly" for the thousands of federal workers who lost their jobs in recent weeks but "many of them don't work at all."NBC News - 5d -
See How Elon Musk’s Team Inflated, Deleted and Rewrote Its Savings Claims
The cost-cutting group removed hundreds of contracts from its “wall of receipts,” added back many of them, and inflated savings values.The New York Times - 3d -
Sunny Hostin: Newsom podcast with conservatives 'poor strategy'
Sunny Hostin, co-host of ABC's "The View," tore into California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over his newly launched podcast, which has served as a platform for discussion between the likely 2028 ...The Hill - 4d -
Ranking All 30 M.L.B. Franchises From First to Worst Over the Last 25 Years
The Dodgers’ recent dominance vaulted them into a strong position, but a different team claimed the top spot.The New York Times - Mar. 10 -
A cache of explosives in Sydney provoked antisemitic terrorism fears. Police now say it was faked
Police in Australia say an explosives-filled trailer that politicians earlier described as an antisemitic terrorism plot and a foiled mass casualty event was staged by criminals in a complicated hoaxABC News - Mar. 10 -
Romania’s pro-Russia presidential candidate to fight election ban
Cǎlin Georgescu to contest decision to bar him from election rerun in May after claims of Russian meddling. Romania’s far-right presidential frontrunner, Cǎlin Georgescu, has said he will appeal ...The Guardian - Mar. 10 -
FBI investigating fake 'SWAT' calls against conservative media figure
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said it would launch a probe into fake swatting calls after noticing an uptick in pranks involving conservative media figures that have warranted a ...The Hill - 3d -
Can Trump and Musk Convince More Conservatives to Buy Teslas?
President Trump rallied support for Elon Musk’s car company, but there may not be enough conservatives willing to buy electric cars to make up for the Democrats who now shun Teslas.The New York Times - 1d -
Chris Paul believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should win the MVP award
Chris Paul believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should win the MVP award.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Beware America’s fake fiscal conservatives
Republicans are indulging in budgetary chicanery in order to preserve Trump’s tax cutsFinancial Times - 4d -
Conservatives push for ban on phones in schools
Opposition says it will attempt to amend a Labour government bill to include the ban.BBC News - 1d -
Judge in deportation case chides DOJ lawyer for refusing to answer key questions
The court fight focuses on the Trump administration's use of a 1798 law to deport people it claims are part of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.NBC News - 35m -
Trump: Biden Jan. 6 panel pardons, others ‘void’ because Autopen used
President Trump said in a social media post that he believes former President Biden’s last-minute pardons are “void” because he signed them with an autopen. “The ‘pardons’ that Sleepy Joe Biden ...The Hill - 11h -
Trump’s Unwelcome News to Auto Chiefs: Buckle Up for What’s to Come
President Trump’s approach to tariffs has unsettled many corporate leaders who believed he would use the levies as a negotiating tool. As it turns out, he sees them as an end in themselves.The New York Times - 4h
More from The Hill
-
Trump clash with courts on Venezuela flights cues concerns of constitutional crisis
The Trump administration’s removal of more than 130 Venezuelans amid a court battle to block their deportation has ignited alarm they may have violated a court order barring its use of the Alien ...The Hill - 10m -
Trump clash with courts on Venezuela flights cues concerns of constitutional crisis
The Trump administration’s removal of more than 130 Venezuelans amid a court battle to block their deportation has ignited alarm they may have violated a court order barring its use of the Alien ...The Hill - 10m -
Trump's 'unrelenting' campaign against Houthis
{beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story What to know about ongoing US strikes on Houthis in Yemen U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi militants over the ...The Hill - 25m -
Trump's 'unrelenting' campaign against Houthis
{beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story What to know about ongoing US strikes on Houthis in Yemen U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi militants over the ...The Hill - 25m -
Trump says Hunter Biden will no longer get Secret Service protection
President Trump said Monday that two of President Biden's children — Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden — would no longer receive protection from the Secret Service. "Please be advised that, effective ...The Hill - 38m
More in Politics
-
Trump clash with courts on Venezuela flights cues concerns of constitutional crisis
The Trump administration’s removal of more than 130 Venezuelans amid a court battle to block their deportation has ignited alarm they may have violated a court order barring its use of the Alien ...The Hill - 10m -
Trump clash with courts on Venezuela flights cues concerns of constitutional crisis
The Trump administration’s removal of more than 130 Venezuelans amid a court battle to block their deportation has ignited alarm they may have violated a court order barring its use of the Alien ...The Hill - 10m -
Judge criticizes Trump admin over deportation of migrants the WH says are violent gang members
A federal judge called Trump administration arguments a “heck of a stretch” in a court hearing late Monday. The Trump administration says it has complied with a court order during its deportation ...NBC News - 16m -
Judge criticizes Trump admin over deportation of migrants the WH says are violent gang members
A federal judge called Trump administration arguments a “heck of a stretch” in a court hearing late Monday. The Trump administration says it has complied with a court order during its deportation ...NBC News - 16m -
Trump's 'unrelenting' campaign against Houthis
{beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story What to know about ongoing US strikes on Houthis in Yemen U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi militants over the ...The Hill - 25m