Nearly three years ago, Fox News shocked nearly everyone by firing prime-time host Tucker Carlson. It was a stunning move, given that Carlson was arguably the face of the most-watched cable news channel. His recent antics in Israel may give some indication of the reason.

Speculation about the firing swirled for months, with neither side offering much explanation for the parting. Despite the suddenness of Carlson’s exit, there was little acrimony expressed from either party.

Still, Carlson took full advantage of the opportunity, launching his own media brand and YouTube channel and quickly becoming one of the leading podcasters. While he claimed that no one at Fox News ever prevented him from reporting on topics that interested him, as evidenced by his repeated fascination with UFOs, his focus since leaving leaves many wondering if that claim is not entirely true.

One of the most popular speculations about Carlson’s exit was that Fox News was concerned that his reporting on the 2020 election, particularly his coverage of election fraud claims, had cost the company millions. The thought was that fear of future instances in which Carlson might entertain controversial claims could cost the company not just financially but also credibility.

The actual reason may never be known. That said, Carlson’s increasingly negative anti-Israel views, combined with increasingly positive claims regarding Islamic majority countries like Qatar, make Fox’s decision to dump him look wise.

Over the past two years, Carlson has lost credibility due to whom he has chosen to interview and the way he has conducted those interviews. He has platformed a number of individuals who have pushed factually false and historically dubious claims, and instead of pressing them on their erroneous assertions, he’s at best failed to challenge them and at worst embraced them. Elevating the bigoted Nick Fuentes was a prime example.

Oddly, Carlson has become almost obsessively antagonistic toward Israel and seemingly anyone who would defend its right to exist. The reason for this animosity is not entirely clear. It would be tempting to pin it on him harboring antisemitism, and that may be the case, but it seems to be something thing else.

Of course, Carlson chalks it up to him being all about America First, and finds it frustrating that Israel receives, in his view, outsized help from the U.S. Taking this view, he has not only criticized U.S. support for Israel, but he has also taken to claiming that Qatar is freer and safer for Christians than Israel. Qatar just happens to be substantially increasing its own influence operation in the States.

In an apparent effort to reinforce his negative framing of Israel, Carlson claimed that he took a brief trip to Israel last week in order to interview U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Apparently, Huckabee invited Carlson to come to Israel in an effort at detente, to set the record straight.

For unclear reasons, Carlson flew into Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv and left only on the return flight. He conducted the interview with Huckabee at the airport, then flew out. Maybe he was too busy to spend any time in Israel.

However, following the interview, Carlson claimed that while in the airport, he was detained by Israeli authorities. As he put it, “Men who identified themselves as airport security took our passports, hauled our executive producer into a side room, and then demanded to know what we spoke to Ambassador Huckabee about. It was bizarre. We’re now out of the country.”

Indeed, given how negatively Carlson has portrayed Israel over the last couple of years, Israel had considered denying entry, but after speaking to Huckabee, thought better of it.

Israeli authorities denied Carlson’s claims, stating, “Contrary to the reports, Tucker Carlson and his entourage were not detained, delayed, or interrogated. Mr. Carlson and his party were politely asked a few routine questions, in accordance with standard procedures applied to many travelers. The conversation took place in a separate room within the VIP lounge solely to protect their privacy and to avoid conducting such a discussion in public.”

Israel also released video footage of Carlson’s interactions with Israeli airport security, exposing his negative framing of the situation as anything but truthful or accurate.

Far from being “dragged” into some “interrogation” room, the video shows Carlson in a friendly situation, brought into a VIP room, where he is seen talking and laughing with security, even at one point getting his picture taken with one of the security members.

Huckabee also denied Carlson’s negative framing, posting on X, “EVERYONE who comes in/out of Israel (every country for that matter) has passports checked & routinely asked security questions. Even ME going in/out with Diplomatic Passport & Diplomatic Visa.”

If Carlson’s not careful, he and his wild accusations may soon be giving Candace Owens a run for her money.