Former Israeli PM calls Tucker Carlson ‘a phony’

Naftali Bennett accused the US media figure of talking about Israel without knowing the country

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett denounced US talk show host Tucker Carlson for his brief visit to Israel, calling him “a chickens**t” and “a phony.”

Carlson, a conservative commentator who questions Israel’s influence on US foreign policy, traveled to the country to interview Mike Huckabee, the current US ambassador there. Before the interview, he posted a photo on X showing himself and business partner Neil Patel in front of Ben Gurion Airport with the caption “Greetings from Israel.”

Bennett, a right-wing politician who led Israel’s government from 2021 to 2022, reacted negatively, taunting Carlson for reportedly not leaving the airport and criticizing Israel without having experienced life there.

“Tucker Carlson is a chickenshit,” he said. “Next time he talks about Israel as if he’s some expert, just remember this guy is a phony!”

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Carlson told The Daily Mail that he faced hostility in Israel and that local authorities had “detained” his executive producer, demanding to know the content of his interview with Huckabee. The ambassador said Carlson and his team went through the same security procedures he undergoes upon arrival.

Huckabee and Carlson recently clashed online over what Carlson calls Israel’s mistreatment of local Christians – an issue he claimed the envoy has failed to address. The ambassador suggested that Carlson speak to him directly. Airport officials confirmed that the conversation took place in the VIP lounge.

The Tucker Carlson Network later released an interview with Palestinian-American Christian leader Farres Abraham, who said his West Bank hometown of Beit Sahour risks losing its Christian majority due to pressure from Jewish settlers backed by Israel.

Carlson said he met with Huckabee – whom he described as a Christian Zionist and neocon, and therefore someone he vehemently disagrees with – because he expected the discussion to remain civil.

“There is no reason for any conversation about American foreign policy to devolve into ‘Jews versus everyone else’ or ‘everyone versus Jews’ or any of this stuff. It’s all awful,” Carson said. “There are some people in this conversation, maybe on both sides, who want to inspire hate, and that’s not a good idea for anyone.”