Podcast Summary: The Truth with Lisa Boothe – "The Rise of Anti-Semitic Violence in America"

Guest: Karol Markowicz (New York Post columnist, host of The Karol Markowicz Show)
Host: Lisa Boothe
Release Date: October 2, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)

Overview

In this episode, Lisa Boothe welcomes her friend and journalist Karol Markowicz to deeply examine the alarming increase in anti-Semitic violence in America following the October 7th massacre in Israel. They explore disturbing incidents across the U.S.—from arson attacks to executions—linking these acts to broader trends in left-wing activism, illegal immigration policy failures, and a shift in political sentiment within Jewish communities. The discussion candidly addresses failures in the American immigration system, societal reactions to hate, the complexities of supporting Israel, and the bleak prospects for a two-state solution.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Surge in Anti-Semitic Attacks (03:27–05:39)

• Lisa recounts a wave of shocking violent acts targeting Jewish individuals and institutions in recent weeks:
  • Attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion (arson targeting Governor Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish)
  • Execution of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C.
  • Elderly Jewish people set on fire in Boulder, Colorado
• Lisa Boothe: “What the hell is going on?” (05:33)

2. Why These Attacks Are More Common in Blue States (05:40–07:52)

• Karol notes these events primarily take place in liberal, blue areas where self-defense is more difficult due to stricter gun laws.
• Karol Markowicz:
  “Attackers know this and that is why it’s happening … In America, I’ve seen people are outraged, you know, people who don’t have to be are outraged. And the government is taking such action.” (05:39–07:52)
• She stresses that anti-Semitism is an age-old problem, but what matters is society’s reaction to it and swift government response.

3. Jewish Political Affiliations and Shifts (07:53–10:31)

• Lisa questions why Jewish Americans continue to vote Democrat despite rising left-wing anti-Semitism.
• Karol discusses long-standing Democratic alignment among Jewish Americans but detects a significant current shift:
  • Trump’s share of the Jewish vote likely increased from 30% (2020) to as high as 47%.
  • Immigrant Jewish communities (like her own from the Soviet Union) have been more conservative historically.
• Karol Markowicz:
  “They’ve been so safe in America for so long that they became liberals … I hear from Jews all the time who voted Republican for the very first time … I don’t see them going back.” (08:24–10:31)

4. The "Free Palestine" Slogan and Radicalization (14:54–16:05)

• Lisa compares “Free Palestine” chants to those of ISIS, questioning if they're rooted in the same radicalism.
• Karol argues it’s an expression of the same ideology:
  • The contemporary left mobilizes “omni-causes,” escalating political grievances into violence (“destroying property for climate change ... killing whoever they didn’t like”).
  • The concept of Zionism is often weaponized: “Zionism is just believing Israel should exist … The idea that you can just kill Zionists at will, that’s going to reach far more people than just the Jewish community.” (15:07–16:05)

5. U.S. Immigration Policy Failures (16:05–19:38)

• The Boulder attacker’s expired Egyptian visa and subsequent Biden administration work permit highlight flaws.
• Karol expresses deep concern over open borders and lack of vetting:
  “It’s so worrisome that we don’t know who’s here … There’s so many people that want to hurt America and Americans around the world. We allowed our borders to be wide open for so long where millions of people came in and we don’t know who they are. We’re in danger. It is a dangerous time in America.” (16:37–18:43)
• She notes how lax immigration enforcement undermines legal immigration and trust in the system, even for former legal immigrants like herself.

6. Israel’s Response to October 7th & International Criticism (20:04–23:28)

• Lisa draws parallels between the scale of October 7 to 9/11, arguing Israel faces the same existential threat and questioning critics of its response.
• Karol highlights Israel’s proximity to threats, unique pressures, and constant attack risk.
• She debunks peace process optimism:
  “They’ve tried a million different times to make different peace deals. It just never works because the goal of Palestinian leadership is not peace. … It’s just to destroy Israel, and Israel can't have that.” (21:00–23:28)
• Many victims of October 7th were pro-peace activists.

7. The Demise of the Two-State Solution (23:28–25:28)

• Both agree that the two-state solution is likely dead after October 7.
• Karol:
  “You can’t reward October 7th with a state. … They want a one state solution that does not include Israel.” (23:57–25:28)
• She doubts Israel will ever hand Gaza back to Hamas control or that Palestinians can successfully govern themselves.

8. The Economic Future of the Middle East (25:28–27:32)

• Lisa praises Trump’s focus on economic cooperation (“the future of the Middle East is commerce, not chaos”).
• Karol asserts that religious fundamentalism remains the chief obstacle to stability in countries like Iran:
  “The mullahs don’t want commerce … They just want to subjugate their population and to keep them under control. … It will involve a change of leadership in some places.” (26:15–27:20)
• Both host and guest are optimistic that Arab states aiming for modernization can help stabilize the region.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lisa Boothe:
  “I feel kind of ignorant to not realizing how much anti-Semitism is so rampant, both here in the United States and abroad as well.” (04:52)
• Karol Markowicz:
  “Attackers know this and that is why it’s happening the way it’s happening.” (05:40)
  “It’s crazy to me that the left took so long … to permit this to go on in the name of opposing Republicans.” (16:37)
  “Zionism is just believing that Israel should exist … The idea that you can just kill Zionists at will, that’s going to reach far more people than just the Jewish community.” (15:07)
• Lisa Boothe:
  “What is the appropriate response to a 9/11 terror attack? … between 2001 and 2021, we dropped over 80,000 bombs and munitions in response to 9/11.” (20:04)
• Karol Markowicz:
  “You can’t reward October 7th with a state. … They want a one state solution that does not include Israel.” (23:57)
  "Our friend Dave Rubin performed in Tel Aviv … the sirens went off while his show was going on, and his show happens to be in a bunker. So they didn’t need to do anything … but that’s how they live." (21:00–21:45)
• Lisa Boothe:
  “I just think that it’s a privilege [to come to America], not a right. … If we do grant someone that privilege, they have to be extremely vetted.” (19:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment Topic | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-------------| | Introduction & overview of attacks | 03:27–05:39 | | Why attacks cluster in blue areas | 05:40–07:52 | | Jewish political realignment | 07:53–10:31 | | Radical slogans and leftist violence | 14:54–16:05 | | Biden administration immigration failures | 16:05–19:38 | | Criticism of Israel and terror comparisons | 20:04–23:28 | | Two-state solution declared dead | 23:28–25:28 | | Economic stabilization vs. religious rule | 25:28–27:32 |

Tone & Closing

The episode is candid, urgent, and deeply personal—reflecting the seriousness of the rise in anti-Semitic violence. Both Lisa and Karol blend heartfelt concern with sharp political critique, focusing on actionable causes, societal responsibilities, and urgent policy failures. The conversation closes with warm personal camaraderie, but the message is clear: the stakes are high, and both vigilance and cultural/political shifts are necessary.

For anyone seeking context on the recent surge of anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S., the political roots and reactions, and the prospects for Israel and the Middle East, this episode offers a thorough, impassioned, and thought-provoking overview directly from two outspoken conservative voices.