Christian Visa Dispute in Israel Resolved After U.S. Ambassador’s Intervention
by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) -A simmering diplomatic dispute over visa delays for Christian organizations in Israel has been resolved, following high-level intervention from U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee and pressure from American faith leaders.
The controversy erupted after Ambassador Huckabee sent a strongly worded letter to Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, expressing “great distress” over the Interior Ministry’s halt to the routine issuance of clergy visas for Christian workers. The ministry had reportedly begun investigating each Christian group individually, rather than relying on the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ recommendations, which led to significant bureaucratic hurdles.
Among the affected organizations were the Baptist Convention of Israel, the Christian Missionary Alliance, the Assemblies of God, and the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. These organizations — longstanding partners in Israeli society — faced extensive delays and probing questionnaires regarding their theological positions. Some clergy were denied renewal of their A3 religious visas entirely.
A source close to the matter told Fox News Digital that the issue stemmed from a low-level visa officer in the Population and Immigration Authority who routinely disregarded ministry guidelines and showed open hostility toward Christian applicants. Leadership instability in the ministry reportedly worsened the situation. The role of authority head has remained vacant since the resignation of Amos Arbel, uncle to the now-outgoing Interior Minister Moshe Arbel.
In response to growing pressure, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Interior Ministry, and the U.S. embassy held urgent meetings to resolve the impasse. Israeli attorney Calev Myers, who represents Christian interests in Israel, confirmed Monday that a breakthrough had been reached.
“Thanks to the hard work and fruitful cooperation between the U.S. Ambassador, the Ministry of Interior, and the Prime Minister’s Office, a solution has been reached to the satisfaction of all parties,” Myers said. “The Evangelical Christian organizations active in Israel… will receive all of the visas they need through a streamlined and efficient application process.”
Interior Minister Arbel responded to Huckabee’s concerns by pledging “utmost efficiency” in processing applications. He instructed his office and staff to personally oversee the resolution and ensure ongoing responsiveness to Christian visa needs. His office emphasized there was “no fear of diplomatic repercussions” and that the issue was being handled “in a good and friendly manner.”
Christian leaders applauded the outcome but voiced frustration that it took international pressure to reverse what they viewed as a bureaucratic overreach.
David Parsons, vice president of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, thanked Huckabee for intervening. “It’s a shame that it takes this sort of action when the government and the minister of interior should have reined in the head of the visa section and corrected her wrong decisions,” he said.
Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren echoed those concerns. “Christian organizations do extraordinary and important work. Whether it’s picking grapes, attending to people in hospitals, or cooking meals for soldiers… we should do nothing but appreciate them and make them feel welcome.”
“The Evangelical community has stood with Israel through thick and thin,” Oren said. “We should do the same for them.”
As of late 2024, Christians comprised roughly 1.8% of Israel’s population, with a growth rate of 0.6% over the previous year, making Israel the only country in the Middle East where the Christian population is increasing.
Huckabee had warned that failure to resolve the issue could lead to reciprocal visa restrictions for Israelis seeking entry into the U.S.. Still, following the resolution, tensions appear to have eased.
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