Antisemitism Watch

Spain Reports Alarming 14.5% Rise in Antisemitic Incidents in 2025
Ted Cruz Labels Tucker Carlson "Most Dangerous Demagogue," Warns of Antisemitism's Grip on the Right
Australian Senate Debate Highlights "Zionist" Used as Proxy for "Jew," Echoing Old Tropes

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Music

Antisemitism Watch

Antisemitism Watch is a daily monitoring and analysis program tracking antisemitism worldwide — incidents, rhetoric, policy, and institutional responses — r

📝 Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler.

We begin with a stark report from Spain, detailing a worsening social climate for its Jewish community. According to a new report by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain, or FCJE, and the Movement Against Intolerance, MCI, antisemitic incidents rose by 14.5 percent in 2025. The report documented 221 anti-Jewish hate crimes, up from 193 the previous year, as detailed by The Algemeiner. FCJE president David Obadía stated that Spanish Jews have been forced to attend communal spaces under heightened security measures since October 7th, 2023, with children attending school under police protection. MCI president Esteban Ibarra called for antisemitism to receive the same institutional attention as other forms of discrimination. The report warns that antisemitism is becoming normalized across social, educational, cultural, and digital spaces, making Spain one of the most extreme cases of this trend in the Western world, with experts noting that anti-Zionist rhetoric has, in many instances, become state-promoted.

In the United States, a significant political figure has directly confronted a prominent media personality. Senator Ted Cruz, speaking on the PBD Podcast, called Tucker Carlson 'the single most dangerous demagogue in America.' As reported by the article, Cruz warned that antisemitism on the right is a gateway to anti-Americanism, stating that Carlson 'almost every show he does is attacking Israel, attacking Jews, and attacking Donald Trump.' Cruz characterized this rhetoric not as conservative or American, and suggested it's teaching young conservatives to hate Israel, and eventually America. The senator's remarks highlight a deep split within the Republican party over Israel and ideological currents.

From Australia, a concerning pattern of rhetoric has emerged in political discourse. An analysis published by The Nightly argues that the word 'Zionist' is increasingly being used as a by-word for 'Jew,' reviving old antisemitic conspiracy theories about hidden influence and control. This trend was evident in the Australian Senate, where Greens Senator Nick McKim accused the Labor Government of being 'captured by Zionist interests.' When challenged, McKim told Senator James Paterson he was 'captured by Zionist interests too.' While McKim later withdrew the personal remark, he insisted on the broader formulation. The article points out that the allegation of Jews exercising excessive or hidden influence is one of the oldest forms of antisemitism. Meta also told a royal commission that it had changed its hate speech rules after identifying cases where 'Zionist' was used as a proxy for Jews in conspiracy theories about control of governments and the media.

In Florida, a combat sports event at the Kia Center became the scene of explicit antisemitic and racist displays. News 6 reported that fighter Paul Miller, known as 'Gypsy Crusader,' made antisemitic remarks and gave Nazi salutes following his kickboxing victory. Videos also showed a fan unfurling a Nazi flag. The organizer of the event, Duel Arena, responded to criticism by posting, 'your people have never lost with dignity, have they.' Orlando Venues, which operates the Kia Center, condemned all forms of hate speech but stated that as operators of public venues, they are bound by the First Amendment and cannot deny access based on political ideology, though they are reviewing policies.

In New York, public criticism continues over the Met Gala's past consideration of honoring designer John Galliano. Several letters to the editor, published in The New York Post, condemned the idea of celebrating Galliano, who was previously convicted of antisemitic hate speech. Correspondents like Alice Daly and Betty Schwartz criticized Anna Wintour and Met Museum executives, with Schwartz stating Wintour's 'lack of moral clarity in choosing to celebrate Galliano is unacceptable.' The letters highlight the rise of antisemitism and describe the choice as an affront in a city with many Jewish patrons.

Globally, online platforms continue to be exploited for antisemitic attacks. The Irish Independent reports that the global insurance giant AIG is investigating how the social media account of one of its senior Irish executives was hacked and used to spread 'extreme antisemitic slurs.'

Back in the United States, political commentator Laura Loomer has warned that Tucker Carlson is a 'political liability' for Vice President J.D. Vance. Loomer criticized Vance for not issuing a forceful condemnation of Carlson, particularly after Vance's appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalition. Loomer quoted Carlson as stating that 'Jews have no ties to America and appropriate American identity like a stolen skin suit,' and demanded Vance take a stronger position against Carlson's rhetoric.

Finally, in Australia, there are calls for greater transparency regarding security assessments. Commissioner Virginia Bell is being urged to release a secret assessment of Australian Federal Police, or AFP, funding. According to reporting on the matter, this request comes amid a 'clear and growing threat of antisemitic terrorism' and follows an attack on December 14th last year.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

📚 Sources

Sources:
- nypost.com: https://nypost.com/2026/09/02/opinion/gallianos-met-gala-exit-letters/
- worldisraelnews.com: https://worldisraelnews.com/spains-antisemitism-crisis-deepens-as-anti-jewish-incidents-surge-14-5-new-report-finds/
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/youre-causing-antisemitism-pro-israel-activist-confronts-nyc-mayor-mamdani-at-brooklyn-jewish-store/articleshow/133736315.cms
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7teilVEUIb0
- jfeed.com: https://www.jfeed.com/news-world/ted-cruz-tucker-carlson-feud-1
- wonderwall.com: https://www.wonderwall.com/politics/donald-trump-ally-laura-loomer-warns-tucker-carlson-albatross-jd-vance-strong-condemnation/
- jewishjournal.com: https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/opinion/391770/conspiracy-theories-have-never-been-good-for-the-jews-they-wont-be-good-for-israel/
- clickorlando.com: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2026/09/02/the-crypto-casino-behind-the-kickboxing-event-that-kicked-up-controversy/
- independent.ie: https://www.independent.ie/business/irish-business/social-media-hack-reported-to-gardai-after-antisemitic-posts-appear-on-aig-executives-x-account/a/160891159.html
- thenightly.com.au: https://thenightly.com.au/politics/jeremy-leibler-anti-zionism-is-a-new-word-for-an-ancient-prejudice-c-22817245
- theaustralian.com.au: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/legal-affairs/commissioner-virginia-bell-urged-to-release-secret-afp-funding-assessment/news-story/1e3755c93269170bce9de8610d8cc29e