Prominent Jewish Lawyer Resigns Heritage Antisemitism Task Force Over Tucker Carlson Defense

The Heritage Foundation's National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, part of the Project Esther initiative, faces significant internal turmoil following Heritage President Kevin Roberts' public defense of Tucker Carlson after Carlson's interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. This defense, which included criticizing Carlson's detractors as a "venomous coalition" and employing rhetoric seen as echoing antisemitic tropes, led to the resignation of key members such as Mark Goldfeder, CEO of the National Jewish Advocacy Center. Goldfeder, a conservative Jewish lawyer, condemned the Heritage Foundation for celebrating Carlson's platforming of Fuentes, calling it a "moral collapse disguised as courage" and stating that combating antisemitism must remain a nonpartisan imperative. The controversy has prompted at least seven resignations or threats of resignation from the task force, raising concerns about the initiative's future and its ability to counter antisemitism effectively. Meanwhile, the co-chairs of the task force have temporarily stood by the Heritage Foundation, emphasizing the importance of preserving conservative unity under President Donald Trump's leadership and seeking more time to determine practical steps forward. The situation highlights growing tensions between Heritage's political stance and the goals of Project Esther, as well as broader challenges in addressing antisemitism within conservative circles.