Far-right commentator Tucker Carlson sparked controversy by claiming without evidence that the war with Iran was driven by a Jewish religious plot to destroy the Al Aqsa Mosque and rebuild a temple in Jerusalem. He alleged that the Chabad Hasidic movement was promoting this agenda and framed the conflict as a global religious war initiated by Jews. Other right-wing media figures amplified the claims, while Jewish leaders denounced the remarks as dangerous antisemitic blood libel.

The Chabad movement, based in Brooklyn and known for Jewish outreach, rejected the accusations as reckless and false. Community leaders emphasized that the organization is not political and said imagery cited by Carlson was unrelated to the group. Former President Donald Trump publicly dismissed Carlson’s comments, while some activists on both the far right and far left echoed rhetoric blaming Israel for drawing the United States into conflict.

The Secure Community Network warned of rising antisemitic threats following the outbreak of war, reporting a sharp increase in violent online posts targeting Jews. Although officials said there are no specific known threats, the United States Department of Homeland Security cautioned that Iran and affiliated groups could pose risks. The warning comes amid a broader surge in antisemitism that has fueled violence in recent years, prompting Jewish security organizations to urge heightened vigilance.