Israel Conspiracy Claims by Owens Lack Evidence, Criticized as ‘False Flag’

In a new series of controversial statements, far-right commentator Candace Owens has sparked concern with conspiracy claims directed at Israel amid ongoing regional tensions. Over the past 24 hours, Owens posted multiple messages on social media platform X, accusing Israel of orchestrating “false flag” operations and making sweeping allegations involving Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency.

The posts come at a particularly sensitive time as Israel and the United States conduct military operations connected to Iran. While largely avoiding explicit references to Jews, Owens employed language that experts recognize as coded rhetoric historically associated with antisemitic conspiracy theories.

In her online statements, Owens suggested that Israel manipulates world events to provoke conflicts, pushing the narrative that Israel functions as a hidden puppetmaster manufacturing crises and tricking other nations into military action. This framing follows a familiar conspiratorial template that has long been rejected by mainstream political figures and security experts.

The term “false flag” itself refers to an operation conducted by one group but deliberately made to appear as though carried out by another. The phrase originated from naval warfare tactics where ships would fly deceptive flags to disguise their identity. In modern conspiracy circles, the term has evolved into an accusation that governments stage attacks to blame enemies and justify retaliation.

Notably, Owens referenced the “Lavon Affair” as evidence that “false flags are the Israeli way.” The Lavon Affair refers to a covert Israeli operation in Egypt in 1954, also known as “Operation Susannah,” where Israeli operatives recruited local Jews to plant small incendiary devices targeting Western-linked civilian sites. The goal, according to historical accounts, was to create instability and strain relations between Egypt and Western powers. The operation was exposed after failures and arrests, triggering a significant political scandal within Israel over responsibility and oversight.

Historians and security analysts note that conspiracy theorists frequently misuse this single historical incident as supposed proof that Israel routinely stages events worldwide. This represents a significant logical leap that takes one documented scandal from seven decades ago and transforms it into a sweeping allegation about Israeli behavior in all contexts.

Owens’ recent activity also included escalating her ongoing public feud with Turning Point USA, a conservative organization. She suggested the group had been “taken over” by pro-Israel forces and mockingly referenced “Shabbat shalom,” a traditional Jewish greeting meaning “peaceful Sabbath” that is commonly exchanged on Friday evening and Saturday.

This isn’t the first time Owens has engaged with fringe theories. She has previously circulated or referenced “Khazarian” origin narratives, which claim that today’s Jews, particularly Ashkenazi Jews, are “fake Jews” who descend primarily from the medieval Khazar Empire rather than from ancient Jewish communities. This theory, dismissed by genetic research and historical scholarship, is often deployed to undermine Jewish identity and historical connection to Israel.

Jewish organizations and monitors of extremist rhetoric have expressed concern that such conspiratorial messaging during times of heightened tensions can spread quickly online. The Anti-Defamation League and other organizations tracking hate speech have repeatedly warned that casting Jews as hidden manipulators of global events can translate into real-world targeting and harassment of Jewish communities.

The timing of these claims comes amid increasing regional instability in the Middle East and growing concerns about escalation between Iran and Israel. Security experts warn that divisive conspiracy narratives can exacerbate tensions during already volatile periods and potentially contribute to community polarization at home.

Media analysts note that while Owens maintains a significant online platform, her recent statements have placed her increasingly at odds with mainstream conservative organizations, several of which have publicly distanced themselves from her rhetoric as it has become more extreme.