By COLlive reporter
As tensions rise in the Middle East and Israeli aircraft reportedly carry out operations over Tehran, a controversial claim by American media personality Tucker Carlson is drawing widespread attention and criticism.
During a recent monologue, Carlson suggested that the driving force behind Israel’s confrontation with Iran is not based in Israel’s government or military leadership, but in an unexpected place: the headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.
In the segment, Carlson advanced a theory that has been widely condemned as conspiratorial, asserting that Chabad is somehow directing Israel’s war strategy. He went further, alleging that the ultimate objective is to remove Islamic holy sites on the Temple Mount in order to build a Third Temple.
Carlson said that Israeli soldiers were seen wearing patches referencing the “Third Temple,” suggesting they serve as proof that the war against Iran and its allies is part of a religious campaign rather than a military effort. “How did the IDF — a military funded in part by U.S. taxpayers — end up wearing patches implying the goal of this war is the destruction of one of Islam’s holiest sites?” Carlson asked during the broadcast.
According to Carlson’s claims, the Chabad movement exerts hidden influence over Israeli political and military decision making, allegedly pushing Israel and the West toward broader conflict with Iran. He argued that this supposed agenda is incompatible with Christian beliefs and suggested that Americans are unaware of what he described as a religious motive behind the conflict.
Carlson’s remarks were quickly echoed by commentator Candace Owens, who posted on X amplifying similar accusations. In the post, Owens warned her followers to “be aware of where the Chabad is nearest your home,” and claimed the movement is “a radical sect of mystic occultists that follow the idea of a war messiah.” She also repeated widely disputed allegations about underground tunnels in New York and claimed Chabad groups are “taking over entire towns in New Jersey.”
Owens further alleged that dozens of individuals connected to Chabad had discussed harming her in an online group chat, writing that “40 of them were on a group chat while Haim Braverman tried to organize my murder for me merely discussing their viewpoints.” She concluded the post by telling followers, “It isn’t your local mosque you need to fear.”
The remarks come amid heightened tensions following recent Israeli strikes in Iran, as global attention remains fixed on the possibility of wider escalation in the region. Carlson framed the conflict as part of a broader ideological struggle, telling viewers that Americans are failing to recognize what he called the influence of a specific religious group on international policy.
The reaction online was immediate and intense. Many viewers and commentators criticized Carlson’s remarks as baseless and inflammatory, while others mocked the premise. One widely shared response questioned the idea directly, asking sarcastically whether Chabad now determines Israeli military targets.
Critics within the Jewish community described the claims as echoing longstanding conspiracy theories that portray Jewish organizations as secretly controlling world affairs. Jewish billionaire Bill Ackman warned that Carlson’s rhetoric is dangerous, saying, “Tucker Carlson has reached a level of absurdity that is going to get someone killed. He needs to stop this now. Someone who knows him well needs to intervene or he will have blood on his hands.”
Chabad PR Liaison Yaacov Behrman responded on X, calling Carlson’s words “a slanderous lie” and a “dangerous blood libel,” and called on him to “correct the record and apologize.”
Behrman also wrote that: “Chabad’s focus is on encouraging mitzvos—good deeds—to bring more goodness into the world and hasten the coming of the Messiah, while living responsibly in the present. The Messianic vision is one of peace and harmony for all.”
.@TuckerCarlson has reached a level of absurdity that is going to get someone killed. He needs to stop this now. Someone who knows him well needs to intervene or he will have blood on his hands. https://t.co/wjrAq0T6Yz
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) March 5, 2026
Remember they are digging tunnels in New York and in cities all across America.
They are taking over entire towns in New Jersey.
You should absolutely be aware of where the Chabad is nearest your home. These people are dangerous. They are a radical sect of mystic occultists…
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 5, 2026
Carlson’s @TuckerCarlson claim about Chabad and the Temple Mount is a slanderous lie. His implication that Chabad is behind the war in Iran is a dangerous blood libel.
Chabad’s focus is on encouraging
mitzvos—good deeds—to bring more goodness into the world and hasten the…— Yaacov Behrman (@ChabadLubavitch) March 5, 2026
I still remember when Chabad loved this guy. Back when he was just a regular Republican who attacked other people and spread lies for trump like the 2020 election lie (read the dominion lawsuit).
I wonder if any of you frum MAGA will ask yourself how many of these lies you fell for because they weren’t about you?
You are as insane as Carlson. And no, Chabad didn’t love him, or care about voting machines.