Tensions Rise as U.S. Ambassador Huckabee Blasts Israeli Interior Ministry Over Christian Visa Denials
by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has issued a sharply worded letter to Israel’s Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, accusing his office of systematically denying visas to Christian groups seeking to visit the Holy Land. The letter, first reported by Channel 12, conveys Huckabee’s “profound disappointment” and warns of diplomatic fallout if the issue is not resolved swiftly.
Huckabee, a Baptist minister and longtime ally of Israel, alleged that a previous meeting between the two in late May had yielded no positive results–in fact, he wrote, “the situation has actually gotten worse.” He accused the Interior Ministry of treating Evangelical Christians–among Israel’s staunchest supporters–“like enemies.”
The ambassador warned that unless there is immediate improvement, the U.S. Embassy would be forced to publicly announce that Israel is not welcoming Christian tourists and is actively harassing them. He went further, threatening to recommend that American Christians reconsider travel plans to Israel and even raised the prospect of reciprocal action against Israeli travelers seeking entry to the United States.
In response, Minister Arbel, a senior ultra-Orthodox lawmaker from the Shas party, said he was “particularly surprised” by Huckabee’s tone and the decision to escalate the matter by copying high-level officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Arbel claimed that he had acted immediately following their May 27 meeting, instructing all relevant offices to expedite Christian visa applications and assigning top aides to oversee the process. “Every request that was personally brought to the attention of my office has been addressed within an exceptionally short timeframe,” Arbel wrote.
He maintained that the cases mentioned in Huckabee’s letter had not previously been submitted directly to his office, implying a breakdown in communication rather than intent.
“In my view, this course of action deviates from accepted working norms and does not reflect the direct and constructive relationship we have established,” Arbel added.
Despite the heated exchange, both parties emphasized the enduring strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Arbel closed his response by reaffirming his respect for Huckabee’s support and stressing the need to maintain “mutual trust and respect — even when misunderstandings or difficulties arise.”
The diplomatic spat highlights growing frustration among Evangelical leaders in the U.S., a key base of political and financial support for Israel, especially within the Trump administration.
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