Following recent events, certain critics of Israel have attempted to create a divide between the conservative activist and the Jewish state, misrepresenting his past remarks and leveling wild, unsubstantiated allegations.
Within hours of Kirk’s assassination—and before a suspect was named—unrestrained conspiracy theories proliferated across social media. The Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism discovered thousands of posts containing these unfounded assertions.
Apparently recognizing efforts to appropriate Kirk’s legacy, a eulogy lauded him as a champion of “speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he combated falsehoods and championed Judeo-Christian civilization.”
Washington’s ambassador to Israel also used X to condemn the misinformation, stating, “It’s painful to see people back in the US attempt to get clicks & make $$ by making up outrageous lies while exploiting the death of Charlie Kirk whose impact & character the propagandists will never have. This sets the record straight.”
Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, who conversed with Charlie Kirk via Zoom the evening prior to his murder, informed [a digital publication] that despite Kirk’s occasional critiques, he maintained staunch support for Israel.
“Kirk initiated the meeting,” Wolicki explained. “He was preparing for a campus tour the following day, anticipating numerous questions concerning Israel. He sought my input on subjects he expected to address. Why would he do that if he had forsaken Israel? The mere occurrence of the meeting demonstrates he had not.”
Wolicki observed that just a month earlier, Kirk had faced backlash from critics for being “excessively supportive” of Israel. While they didn’t delve into the foundations of his opinions, Wolicki attributed Kirk’s stance to his evangelical Christian convictions, which he stated corresponded with the Jewish nation’s right to flourish.
“He frequently stated publicly his conviction that the Land of Israel belongs to the and that he supported Israel’s war against Hamas,” Wolicki added. “He was not soft on our enemies. He supported Israel, even when he was critical.”
A viral video from a May debate at Cambridge showed Kirk firmly defending the Jewish state.
“Declare war on Israel, and anticipate a furious response,” he asserted. “On Shabbat, Hamas infiltrated Israel, deliberately attacking music concerts, homes, and kibbutzim, seizing over 200 hostages. Their actions were intentional…”
“A sorrowful reality of conflict is that civilians perish. I dislike it, and so do you,” he proceeded. “And they brought this upon themselves. The sole operation and entity to blame is the leadership of Hamas, not the Israeli government, for engaging in this defensive war. … There is a clear distinction between good and bad.”
Last month, he appeared on Megyn Kelly’s podcast, characterizing himself as having an “unimpeachable record” in defending Israel across both college campuses and social media.
“I uphold the scriptural land entitlements granted to Israel, and I believe in the realization of prophecy. Though not a theologian, I am a Christian. My life was transformed in Israel — the spiritual energy there is truly profound. I desire their victory, and I’ve stated that on multiple occasions,” Kirk affirmed.
He further remarked that online, he often experiences “less freedom to criticize the Israeli government without facing censure than actual Israelis do.”
“My wish is for civilization to triumph. I want the West to prevail. I do not want the Islamo-fascist barbarians to attack Jerusalem. I desire the protection of holy sites. I believe in the Holy Land; I cherish that Jesus walked on water there and resurrected,” he stated.
Kirk underscored his personal connection to Israel but cautioned that hostile responses to criticism could ultimately lead to the “diminishment and discouragement of two of your staunchest advocates if such reactions persist.”
David Yosef, one of Israel’s Chief Rabbis, sent a letter to Kirk’s family, conveying his “profound sorrow” over the loss of “an articulate and steadfast voice of truth.”
Josh Nass, a former conservative youth commentator, first encountered Kirk in 2012, as Kirk was in the process of establishing his organization, Turning Point USA.
“If you remove from the picture, what Charlie dedicated his life to simply falls apart. He thought our value system was collapsing and was very passionate about the need to fight the culture war. His love for Israel was incredibly real and sincere. I know that because he told me so himself,” Nass said.
Israel Ganz, who heads the Yesha Council—the overarching body for local authorities in Judea and Samaria—responded to Kirk’s assassination, stating his community “grieved deeply over the murder of a friend and admirer of Israel.”
Embodying the spirit of coexistence Kirk championed, scores of Christians and Jews convened on Wednesday atop Jerusalem’s Temple Mount to commemorate him. They offered prayers for solace for Kirk’s widow and children, extending support and unity during their bereavement.