Jewish Exodus from Heritage Foundation’s Antisemitism Initiative amid Carlson Controversy
Project Esther, a conservative initiative created to combat antisemitism, is reportedly disintegrating following the public defense of media figure Tucker Carlson by Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts. Carlson recently held a friendly interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes, sparking outrage among members.
The fallout has led to the departure or potential resignation of at least eight individuals and affiliated organizations from Heritage’s National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. The task force, launched the previous year under the Project Esther banner, has faced increasing criticism for Roberts’ stance.
Roberts described Carlson’s detractors as a “venomous coalition.”
Unveiled on the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Project Esther was presented as a conservative national strategy to counter antisemitism. However, the wave of resignations suggests deep divisions within the movement.
Neither the Heritage Foundation nor the initiative’s co-chairs immediately issued comments regarding the resignations. Speaking at Hillsdale College, Roberts acknowledged that tensions had caused pain among Jewish colleagues within Heritage’s circles.
Author’s Summary
Heritage Foundation’s Project Esther faces collapse as members quit over its defense of Tucker Carlson’s interaction with Nick Fuentes, revealing deep internal fractures.