Israeli UN Envoy Recounts Unusual Wartime Call With Tucker Carlson Amid Intensifying Debate Over Antisemitism
Danon Says Former Fox News Host Asked to Be Removed From Alleged ‘List’ During Conversation at Height of Israel-Hamas Conflict
By: Fern Sidman
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has revealed details of an unusual telephone conversation he says took place with media personality Tucker Carlson during the height of the Israel-Hamas war, offering a rare glimpse into the increasingly contentious public debate surrounding antisemitism, media influence, and the global information battle that has accompanied the conflict.
According to a report on Thursday in The New York Post, Danon recounted the exchange during a recent appearance at an event hosted by the Jewish Policy Center, where he discussed the challenges Israel has faced in combating what he described as a surge in antisemitic rhetoric and misinformation following the outbreak of war.
Danon, who is currently serving his second term as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, described a conversation that he characterized as both surprising and revealing.
According to The New York Post’s account of the remarks, Carlson contacted the Israeli diplomat and allegedly requested that he be removed from what Carlson believed was some form of organized list maintained by Jewish individuals or organizations.
Danon said he was initially confused by the request. “He told me, ‘I’m being attacked by the Jews, so maybe you have, like, a list. Can you take me off the list?’” Danon recalled during his remarks.
The ambassador said the request left him puzzled and prompted him to seek clarification. According to Danon’s retelling, he responded by informing Carlson that no such list existed and that criticism directed at public figures is often a consequence of their own statements and actions. “I told him, ‘Mr. Carlson, we don’t have a list. You are being attacked because you’re spreading lies, blood libels against our soldiers,’” Danon said.
The ambassador further stated that he confronted Carlson about what he viewed as the broadcaster’s role in amplifying individuals and viewpoints that many critics have characterized as antisemitic. “I told him, ‘You’re spreading antisemitism. You are hosting antisemites, so you are being attacked,’” Danon said.
The comments, as reported by The New York Post, immediately drew attention because they touch upon a broader and highly polarized debate that has emerged in recent years regarding free speech, media platforms, political discourse, and the boundaries between criticism of Israel and antisemitism.
Danon’s remarks underscored the extent to which the Israel-Hamas conflict has evolved into a struggle not only on the battlefield but also in the realm of public opinion. Since the war began, diplomats, political leaders, journalists, activists, and commentators have engaged in fierce disputes over the portrayal of events, accusations of bias, and allegations of misinformation.
For Israel’s representatives, combating false narratives has become an increasingly important component of their diplomatic mission. Danon has frequently argued that Israel faces not only military threats but also a coordinated campaign of delegitimization across social media platforms, university campuses, and segments of international media.
His comments at the Jewish Policy Center reflected those concerns. According to The New York Post report, Danon used the story of his conversation with Carlson as an example of what he sees as persistent misconceptions about Jewish influence and power. The notion of secret Jewish lists or coordinated campaigns against public figures has long been associated with antisemitic conspiracy theories, many of which have circulated for generations.
Danon appeared to suggest that Carlson’s alleged question reflected a misunderstanding rooted in those stereotypes.
The conversation described by Danon comes against the backdrop of years of controversy surrounding Carlson’s public commentary and choice of guests. Carlson, who became one of the most influential figures in American cable news during his tenure at Fox News, has built a substantial audience through his independent media ventures following his departure from the network.
Throughout that period, he has attracted both fervent supporters and vocal critics. Supporters argue that Carlson has challenged political orthodoxies and raised questions ignored by mainstream media institutions. Critics, meanwhile, have accused him of providing a platform to individuals whose views they consider extremely antisemitic.
The New York Post noted that Carlson has previously interviewed figures who have generated significant controversy, including white nationalist commentator Nick Fuentes and media personality Candace Owens, who has faced criticism over comments related to Jewish issues and the Holocaust. These associations have become a focal point for organizations that monitor antisemitism and hate speech.
Danon’s comments appeared aimed at highlighting what he views as the consequences of amplifying such voices.
One of the most notable aspects of Danon’s remarks involved his suggestion that individuals who spread antisemitic rhetoric online should face greater public scrutiny. After recounting the conversation with Carlson, Danon reportedly reflected on whether organizations should more systematically track those who disseminate antisemitic content. “Maybe it’s about time we put a list of those who promote antisemitism online,” Danon said. “Of those who are hosting antisemites on podcasts and fight back.” The ambassador continued by arguing that antisemitism remains a persistent and evolving challenge. “And I think we have to do it because it’s not going anywhere,” he said. “It’s gonna be with us, and it’s brutal. It’s a war, and we have to stand up and fight it.”
His comments reflect a broader trend among advocacy groups that increasingly seek to document and publicize incidents of antisemitism, both online and offline.
As The New York Post report noted, several organizations already maintain databases and public records of individuals they believe have engaged in antisemitic behavior or rhetoric. Among the most prominent is Canary Mission, which publishes profiles of activists, students, professors, and other individuals whose statements or affiliations it considers problematic.
The organization has generated intense debate. Supporters argue that it serves as a necessary tool for documenting antisemitism and extremist activism. Critics contend that it unfairly targets individuals for their political views and can have significant consequences for careers and reputations.
Another organization referenced in connection with Danon’s remarks is StopAntisemitism, which has become increasingly active in public campaigns against antisemitic incidents. The group’s annual “Antisemite of the Year” designation has become a high-profile initiative designed to draw attention to individuals and organizations it believes have contributed to anti-Jewish hostility.
According to The New York Post report, Carlson received that designation in 2025.
Danon’s comments come at a time when concerns about antisemitism remain elevated across the United States and much of the Western world. Jewish organizations have reported significant increases in antisemitic incidents since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. These incidents have ranged from online harassment and threats to physical assaults, vandalism, and demonstrations that critics argue have crossed the line from political protest into anti-Jewish hostility.
Government officials, law enforcement agencies, and civil rights groups have repeatedly warned about the growth of antisemitic conspiracy theories and rhetoric. Many experts note that such narratives often rely on longstanding stereotypes regarding Jewish influence, power, and control.
Danon’s account of his exchange with Carlson appeared to touch directly upon those themes. By describing Carlson’s alleged request to be removed from a supposed Jewish list, Danon suggested that such assumptions continue to circulate even among prominent public figures.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to reverberate throughout international politics, disputes over language, media narratives, and public discourse remain central to the broader debate. For Israeli officials such as Danon, confronting misinformation and antisemitic narratives has become an increasingly important part of their diplomatic mission.
According to The New York Post report, Danon’s recollection of his conversation with Carlson was intended to illustrate the challenges faced by those attempting to combat antisemitism in an era dominated by digital media and online influence.
Whether viewed as an anecdote, a warning, or a broader commentary on contemporary political discourse, the exchange has once again placed questions of media responsibility, public accountability, and antisemitism at the center of an ongoing national conversation.
As Danon concluded in his remarks, the struggle against antisemitism is not one he believes will disappear anytime soon. “It’s gonna be with us,” he said. “And it’s brutal. It’s a war, and we have to stand up and fight it.”
