The Unraveling Alliance: Why the Right Turned Against Israel

In a striking reversal of political allegiance, a significant segment of the American and European right has shifted its stance on Israel. For decades, the state was a cornerstone of conservative foreign policy—a "bulwark against terrorism" in the Middle East. Today, however, that consensus is fracturing. The question is not whether this shift is happening, but why.

The core of the argument rests on a fundamental change in how the right-wing perceives the Israeli state. Previously, Israel was seen as a necessary partner in the "War on Terror," a reliable ally against radical Islam. This view aligned with the neoconservative doctrine that promoted democracy and American influence abroad. But a new generation of right-wing populists, often labeled "national conservatives," has emerged with a different worldview. They prioritize national sovereignty, cultural homogeneity, and the protection of "Western civilization" against what they see as a tide of globalism and immigration.

From this perspective, Israel becomes a liability. The right-wing critique now centers on the argument that Israel’s actions—specifically its occupation of Palestinian territories and the ongoing conflict—actively destabilize the West. The logic is blunt: by creating a constant source of regional conflict, Israel generates a refugee crisis that spills into Europe and the United States. These refugees, the argument goes, bring with them cultural and religious values that clash with Western traditions, fueling internal social tensions and undermining national identity.

This is a direct inversion of the old neoconservative logic. Where the old right saw Israel as a solution to terrorism, the new right sees it as a cause of the very instability that produces terrorists and migrants. The conflict is no longer viewed as a noble struggle against extremism, but as a self-perpetuating cycle of violence that ultimately harms the West.

Furthermore, this new right-wing bloc often harbors deep suspicion of the "Deep State" or the "establishment"—the intelligence agencies, diplomatic corps, and media institutions that have historically supported Israel. Because these institutions are the primary defenders of the alliance, the populist right views the relationship with Israel as a project of the elites they seek to overthrow. To oppose Israel, in this context, is to oppose the establishment.

This ideological pivot is not uniform. Many on the right, particularly evangelical Christians and neoconservatives, remain staunchly pro-Israel. But the rise of figures like Tucker Carlson in the United States and politicians in Europe who openly question the value of the alliance signals a profound and lasting change. The old bond, forged in the Cold War and cemented after 9/11, is fraying. The right is no longer a monolith on Israel, and its internal conflict is reshaping the landscape of Middle East politics.