Former Miss California, Carrie Prejean Boller, who serves on President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, sparked controversy during a recent hearing focused on antisemitism when she expressed her opposition to Zionism due to her Catholic beliefs. Despite Catholic doctrine not opposing Israel as a nation or its people, Boller stated, “I am a Catholic, and Catholics don’t embrace Zionism,” during the commission’s fifth meeting in Washington, D.C., on February 9.
Historically, the Catholic Church has not condemned Zionism, which advocates for Jewish self-determination in Israel. Instead, it maintains a stance that recognizes Israel’s right to exist and condemns antisemitism in all forms. Boller’s comments drew significant attention, as she took to social media to assert that pressuring individuals to endorse Zionism within a “Religious Liberty” framework contradicts the essence of religious freedom. She publicly declared her intent to remain on the commission, rejecting calls for resignation that she claims were made by some of its members.
During the hearing, Rabbi Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, defended the notion that opposing Jewish statehood while supporting the self-determination of other nations represents a double standard indicative of antisemitism. Anti-Zionism has been described as antisemitic by various figures, including Berman and Yitzchok Frankel, a former law student involved in a notable case around anti-Jewish protests post the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
Boller, who authored the book “Still Standing: The Untold Truth of My Fight Against Gossip, Hate, and Political Attacks,” expressed that she disagrees with opinions claiming the current state of Israel links to biblical prophecy. She pressed Jewish panelists on whether her views could be considered antisemitic, a line of questioning that was eventually stopped by the commission’s chair, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick from Texas.
In response to Boller’s assertions, Ryan Anderson, another commission member and the president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, clarified the Church’s relationship with Judaism, emphasizing that blame for the death of Jesus cannot be attributed to all Jews—past or present—and that Judaism should not be seen as rejected by God. Father Thomas Ferguson, who also sits on the panel, echoed this sentiment, affirming that understanding God through Christianity does not allow for antisemitism.
Simultaneously, the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism has vocally contested Boller’s statements, with director Simone Rizkallah stating that her claims misrepresent Catholic teaching. Rizkallah emphasized that acknowledging Israel’s right to exist aligns with Zionist principles, highlighting that while some Catholics may not formally identify with the term, they still support Israel’s sovereignty. She called for clarity in discussions surrounding Catholic doctrine and Jewish relations to prevent distortion and misunderstanding.
This ongoing dialogue within the Religious Liberty Commission reflects a broader discussion on the intersections of faith, politics, and social justice, as the commission has previously addressed various aspects of religious freedom in American life. As these complex issues continue to unfold, the interactions and debates serve to illuminate differing perspectives among faith leaders and the challenges of ensuring respectful coexistence in a diverse society.