Tucker Carlson and the Resurgence of the Discredited ‘Khazar Theory’

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson sparked controversy in February 2026 with questions about the genetic lineage of Israelis, suggesting genetic testing to determine “who Abram’s descendants are” and questioning the connection of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the historical people of Israel. This line of questioning revived a long-discredited theory – the Khazar hypothesis – which has historically been used to delegitimize Jewish claims to the land of Israel.

The Khazar Theory Explained

The Khazar theory posits that Ashkenazi Jews, who comprise the majority of Jews in Israel and the United States, are not descended from the ancient Israelites of the Levant, but rather from a Turkic people known as the Khazars. The Khazars, who established a powerful kingdom in what is now Southern Russia and Ukraine between the 7th and 10th centuries, converted to Judaism. Proponents of the theory claim that Ashkenazi Jews are therefore genetically descended from this Turkic group, rather than the twelve tribes of Israel.

Why the Theory is Discredited

Genetic research has consistently demonstrated that Ashkenazi Jews do, in fact, share a significant genetic heritage with other Jewish populations and with people from the Middle East. While there is evidence of some genetic admixture from various populations throughout Jewish history, the overwhelming majority of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry traces back to the Middle East. The Khazar theory has been widely rejected by historians and geneticists as lacking scientific basis.

Historical Use of the Khazar Theory

The Khazar theory has a long history of being used to promote antisemitism. It was popular among 19th-century Russian nationalists who sought to portray Jews as foreign interlopers in Russia. The idea that Jews are not a true people with a legitimate historical connection to the land of Israel has been used to justify discrimination and violence against them. For many Jewish people, the suggestion of tracing bloodlines is reminiscent of Nazi ideology, which used ancestry to determine who was considered Jewish and therefore targeted for persecution.

Carlson’s Recent Comments and Their Context

During a February 19, 2026, interview with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Carlson questioned Netanyahu’s claim to the land, noting his family’s Eastern European origins. He suggested that genetic testing could determine who has a “rightful claim” to the land, echoing the core tenet of the Khazar theory. This prompted criticism from Jewish organizations and observers who recognized the historical use of such arguments to delegitimize Jewish identity and sovereignty.

Understanding Jewish Identity

Judaism is understood as a complex blend of religion, ethnicity, and community, where conversion has always been an accepted path to membership. The emphasis on shared religious practice, cultural traditions, and communal bonds, rather than solely on lineage, is central to Jewish identity.