U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R) has once again spoken out forcefully against what he views as rising antisemitism, criticizing the way some individuals online have used Christian language to target Jewish people.
During an interview with CBN News, Sen. Cruz addressed a growing trend on social media in which the phrase "Christ is King" has been used in contexts he argues are meant to attack Jews rather than express genuine religious belief.
"Christ is King is being used online in a way that is meant to say, screw you, Jew," said Sen. Cruz. "It is being used in a context very directly to say, I hate Jews, and that's almost an online code word."
Sen. Cruz said the phrase is sometimes deployed alongside explicit attacks on Jewish people, arguing that it is used to create false biblical justification for antisemitism.
"You see the people who are saying it, and they're saying it in that context. They're saying Jews are horrible, like they're attacking Jews, and they end with Christ is King, to make it sound like somehow there's a biblical basis for attacking Jews," said Cruz.
Cruz, who has long positioned himself as a strong supporter of Israel and an outspoken critic of antisemitism, also pushed back on historical claims that have been used to justify anti-Jewish hostility.
"Jesus was a Jew," said Cruz. "Twisted theology that says Jews are Christ killers... has been used to justify antisemitism, to justify persecution, and murder."
The Senator emphasized that Christian theology teaches that Jesus willingly chose his sacrifice.
"I read the Gospels. Jesus went to the cross willingly. He made the choice to go to the cross, and it was not the Jews who killed Jesus," Cruz commented. "Jesus died for our sins."
Throughout his time in the Senate, Cruz has frequently spoken out against antisemitism and has been a vocal defender of Israel. His latest comments reflect that continued stance, as he argues that religious language should never be weaponized to promote hatred.
