A growing wave of antisemitism — including within segments of younger conservative circles — is raising alarms among faith leaders and activists, according to a recent interview on The Todd Starnes Show with E.J. Kimball of the Combat Antisemitism Movement.
Kimball, who serves as Director of Christian Outreach and Engagement for the organization, warned that the problem is not only intensifying but evolving in ways that demand urgent attention.
“This issue of antisemitism has really exploded, especially since October 7th, 2023,” Kimball said, noting that the hostility is no longer confined to traditional sources.
He added that the targeting has broadened beyond Jewish communities alone. “It’s not just going after Jews, it’s going after anyone that supports the state of Israel,” Kimball explained.
That shift has put many evangelical Christians — historically strong supporters of Israel — directly in the crosshairs. High-profile pastors and faith leaders have increasingly faced backlash, signaling what Starnes described as a troubling cultural shift.
“I’m glad that you guys are really bringing this very disturbing issue to the forefront,” Starnes said during the interview. “This is something that we need to have a national conversation about.”
Kimball agreed, emphasizing that antisemitism is not a new phenomenon but one that has adapted over time — now finding fertile ground among younger audiences consuming online content.
“It’s been going on for thousands of years,” he said. “The problem is… it is constantly changing. And if you’re fighting the old style of antisemitism, you’re missing out on what’s happening now.”
A key concern raised during the conversation was the role of digital platforms and so-called “podcast culture,” where misinformation and conspiracy theories can spread rapidly among younger conservatives.
Kimball pointed to college campuses as an early indicator of the trend, arguing that years of unchecked rhetoric laid the groundwork for today’s surge.
“This wasn’t about free speech… this was about shouting down and really blanket antisemitism and fascism going on on these campuses,” he said.
According to Kimball, the eruption of anti-Israel protests immediately following the October 7 attacks revealed a deeper, pre-existing movement.
“You could not spontaneously be criticizing Israel less than 24 hours after that horrific massacre,” he said. “This is something that has been prepared for years.”
Starnes also raised concerns about what he described as bad actors within conservative media spaces, warning that some influencers have misled audiences and contributed to shifting attitudes.
Kimball echoed the urgency of addressing the issue head-on, particularly among younger generations who are increasingly exposed to what he called “misinformation and disinformation.”
The Combat Antisemitism Movement has been working to counter that trend, including hosting conferences aimed at educating young Christian leaders about the historical and theological ties between Christians and Jews.
“They learned the Jewish issues… and also [how] misinformation… has really been a boon to help a younger generation,” Kimball said.
Despite the troubling rise in incidents — more than 25,000 documented cases, according to the organization — Kimball stressed that many more go unreported.
“Most Jews aren’t going to report that because it’s almost like that’s the cost of doing business in America now,” he said.
Both men agreed that confronting antisemitism requires a united front.
“It is so vitally important for us to stand together, Christians and Jews together on this issue,” Starnes said.
Kimball underscored that message, calling antisemitism “a societal problem” that demands vigilance at every level — especially among younger conservatives navigating an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
As the rhetoric intensifies, leaders warn that the time for complacency has long passed — and that the next generation may hold the key to reversing the trend.
Todd Starnes is an award-winning journalist, best-selling author, and host of The Todd Starnes Radio Show.
