In a heated interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and Republican Texas Ted Cruz, Cruz cited the Bible to demonstrate the importance of supporting Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas and, more recently, Iran.

AIPAC Allegations and Accusations of Antisemitism
The exchange began when Carlson pressed Cruz on campaign donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which Carlson accused of lobbying U.S. politicians "for a foreign government." However, Cruz implied that Carlson was an Antisemite after questioning his obsession with Israel after Carlson questioned Cruz his motives for supporting the Jewish State.

In response, Cruz shared that his motivation for supporting Israel comes from the Bible, The Christian Post reported.

"As a Christian, growing up in Sunday school, I was taught from the Bible that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed. I want to be on the blessing side of things," Cruz told Carlson in an apparent reference to Genesis 12:3.

Debate over Scripture and Political Allegiance
Carlson, however, countered Cruz with scrutiny, saying, "Those who bless the government of Israel?"

"Those who bless Israel is what it says; it doesn't say the government of, it says the nation of Israel," Cruz replied.

Carlson also questioned Cruz's theological stance after the Senator struggled to pinpoint the chapter and verse.

"You're quoting a Bible phrase you don't have context for, you don't know where in the Bible it is, and that's your theology? I'm confused … I'm a Christian; I want to know what you're talking about," Carlson said.

Cruz maintained that his support for the Jewish state is biblical.

"Biblically, we are commanded to support Israel. Second —" "Hold on," Carlson interjected. "We're commanded as Christians to support the government of Israel?"

When asked if he thinks "what God was talking about in Genesis" is a "political entity that's existed for thousands of years, though it was recreated just over 70 years ago," Cruz said, "Yes, but most people understand that line in Genesis to refer to the Jewish people, God's chosen people."

"You're saying as a Christian, if I believe in Jesus, I have to support the modern state of Israel?" Carlson asked.

"No, I'm explaining my personal motivation," responded Cruz. "Not everyone I represent is a Christian, so I don't use my faith as the reason we should support Israel."

The heated exchange, which went viral on social media, was part of a two-hour conversation posted on Wednesday that discussed multiple topics, including Iran, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and the future of Syria.