Maybe the headline is a bit much?

Nah.

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage claimed recently that the “Jewish lobby” has an outsized influence on U.S. politics.

"There are about six million Jewish people living in America, so as a percentage it’s quite small, but in terms of influence it’s quite big," Farage said on his talk radio show.

His remarks came after he was asked about allegations that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

His remarks on the “Jewish lobby” were part of a response that included him saying other "foreign lobbies" are "very powerful" in the U.S.

"There are other very powerful foreign lobbies in the United States of America and the Jewish lobby with its link to the Israeli government is one of those strong voices," he said.

"They have a voice within American politics, as indeed do the Hindu groups and many other groups in America. But I don’t think anybody is suggesting that the Israeli government tried to affect the result of the American elections,” he said.

A caller then asked Farage if American lawmakers are "in the pockets" of Israel. To this, Farage said, "In terms of money and influence yes they are a very powerful lobby."

Look, we’re always hesitant to accuse someone of being a racist or an anti-Semite because it’s damn near impossible to know what’s really in a man’s heart. We’re not as hesitant, however, when it comes to identifying certain rhetoric or actions as racist or anti-Semitic.

Alleging a widespread conspiracy wherein the Jews secretly control U.S. lawmakers is certainly anti-Semitic in tone and spirit. Indeed, the “Jewish money controls Washington” trope is one of the oldest anti-Jewish claims in the book. Farage is not a total idiot, and he knows better. If he doesn't, he should. Shame on him.