Ted Cruz and Israel, Dave Ramsey's religious discrimination lawsuit, and could NYC get its first Muslim mayor?

Religion links for 6.20.25

The exterior of the Jewish Temple Adath Israel in Owensboro, Kentucky. It was built in 1878 and is among the oldest synagogue buildings in the U.S. The Moorish architectural style is visually distinct, and evokes the Golden Age of Jewish culture in medieval Spain under Muslim rule. Temple Adath Israel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [Wikimedia Commons]

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Top Story: Ted Cruz and what it means to “bless” Israel

One story I saw all over social media this week was a surprisingly aggressive interview between Tucker Carlson and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both of whom have right-wing political leanings. It reveals a substantial MAGA divide on foreign policy—Carlson is an isolationist and Cruz is a pro-intervention hawk—but part of what got my attention was their exchange about supporting Israel.

Cruz explained that his support for Israel started with his Christian Sunday school background. From HuffPost:

“I was taught from the Bible, those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed,” the senator said while appearing on an episode of Carlson’s show posted on Wednesday. “And from my perspective, I want to be on the blessing side of things.”

The conversation got heated from there, with Carlson asking whether that teaching—which is based on a passage in Genesis—applied to the current government of Israel.

Regardless of what you think about Tucker Carlson, he is asking the right question. This story has both a Jewish and Christian component, so it’s a good one to explore a little further.