The Republican Party has earned considerable trust and appreciation in Israel, and rightly so.
Republicans have consistently supported Israel’s right to defend itself, strengthened the strategic alliance between the two nations, confronted Iran, and rejected the anti-Israel and antisemitic currents gaining traction in parts of the progressive left.
These achievements deserve recognition.
One of the most significant voices among Israel’s supporters in the Republican Party is Sen. Ted Cruz.
Unlike many of his colleagues who choose to ignore the issue, Cruz has publicly warned for years that antisemitism is becoming a “cancer” within parts of the conservative movement.
He has argued that conservatives have a moral duty to confront antisemitism before it spreads.
Crucially, Cruz has not directed his criticism primarily at political opponents, but rather at elements within his own ranks. This requires genuine political courage.
For instance, Cruz has sharply criticized Tucker Carlson, one of the most influential media figures on the American right, accusing him of giving a platform to antisemitic figures.
According to Cruz, providing extremists with an open microphone legitimizes them. He has also warned his Republican colleagues that remaining silent in the face of such behavior is a moral failure.
Other Republicans have shown similar bravery. Congressman Dan Crenshaw, also a Republican from Texas, joined Cruz in condemning extremist figures such as Nick Fuentes, who is associated with white nationalism.
Fuentes and his ilk propagate rhetoric about “Jewish control” and “dual loyalty.” In the past, conservative media outlets unequivocally rejected such individuals.
Today, they are reappearing in the media landscape and gaining significant traction among some younger conservatives.
The challenge from within Republican ranks
Some Republican politicians have also adopted positions that have raised concerns among many supporters of Israel. Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, is the most prominent example.
Time and again, he has cast votes that diverge from his party on issues related to Israel and the fight against antisemitism.
He was the only Republican to vote against funding for the Iron Dome, opposed resolutions supporting Israel, and voted against legislation aimed at strengthening legal and public tools to combat antisemitism.
Massie is not alone in signaling a shift on the party’s fringes. In a series of congressional votes, other Republicans joined him. Some did so out of a commitment to free speech, others for budgetary reasons, and some out of a more isolationist “America First” ideology.
Hatred does not pledge allegiance to any political camp. It does not check whether someone voted Republican or Democrat.
It thrives on feelings of grievance, exploits fear, rewards conspiracies, and offers simple explanations for complex problems. The oldest conspiracy theory in history has always found willing audiences across the political spectrum.
The lesson for Israel is simple: Do not assume that today’s allies will remain so tomorrow. Parties change, coalitions shift, and new voices emerge. Constant vigilance is not pessimism; it is a necessity.
The lesson for Americans is equally critical: Antisemitism must be condemned, plain and simple. It must be confronted even when it arises from within one’s own camp, not just when it comes from political opponents.
Cruz has shown that this is possible. Others, as Republicans, Democrats, conservatives, liberals, and independents alike, must follow his lead.
The fight against antisemitism will not be won by one party defeating another. It will only be won when decent people from all political sides refuse to tolerate it, wherever it appears.
The writer is a founding partner of the US-based law firm Ehrenstein|Sager, specializing in commercial law, complex litigation, and high-stakes international arbitration.