Candace Owens, a prominent conservative commentator, has become a focal point of controversy due to her recent statements regarding Israel and the Jewish community. These remarks have led to significant backlash, public disagreements with media figures, and ultimately, her departure from The Daily Wire, a conservative media company. The situation highlights a growing tension within conservative circles concerning criticism of Israel and accusations of antisemitism.
She has had discussions with a known Jewish Anti-semite:
Owens’ criticisms of Israel’s actions in Gaza, particularly its response to the Hamas attacks of October 7, were initially framed as opposition to U.S. funding of foreign wars. However, her commentary soon escalated, with accusations that she employed antisemitic tropes. This included remarks about “political Jews” and a “very small ring of specific people who are using the fact that they are Jewish to shield themselves from any criticism,” statements that were widely condemned as antisemitic.
The escalating controversy culminated in Owens’ departure from The Daily Wire, a platform where she hosted a commentary show. The company’s co-founder, Ben Shapiro, a staunch supporter of Israel, publicly clashed with Owens over her remarks. In a statement, Jeremy Boreing, another co-founder, confirmed the end of their professional relationship, while Owens declared on social media that she was “finally free.” She announced plans to continue her show on YouTube after a brief hiatus.
The controversy has also drawn in other prominent figures, including Dennis Prager, who published an open letter to Owens addressing her claims about Israel and Jewish people. Prager, who was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home, felt compelled to respond to what he described as inaccuracies and misrepresentations in Owens’ statements. He had previously worked with Owens at PragerU, and her departure from The Daily Wire followed these public disagreements.
Furthermore, Owens has been accused of making more extreme claims, including comparing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. These comments have been met with strong criticism from various groups, including those who advocate for Black solidarity with Israel. The discourse surrounding Owens’ statements underscores the complex and often contentious nature of discussions about Israel, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the boundaries of acceptable criticism in public discourse.
