U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is threatening strong action over what he says is growing hostility toward Christian organizations by the Israeli government.
In a letter to Israel’s Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, Huckabee warned that if the situation isn’t resolved, he will advise American Christians to stop traveling to or supporting Israel.
Huckabee’s letter, sent Wednesday and released Thursday, accuses Israeli officials of targeting U.S.-based Christian groups with delays, investigations, and visa denials.
“We feel we are being treated as adversaries,” Huckabee wrote.
Christian Support Being Undermined
Huckabee, a longtime pastor and former Arkansas governor, said the situation is personal—he’s led Christian tours to Israel for 50 years.
According to Huckabee, visa applications from groups like the Baptist Convention in Israel and the Christian Missionary Alliance have been left in limbo since early this year.
The dispute comes just weeks after Huckabee met with Arbel on May 27 to address similar concerns.
But the ambassador says nothing has changed.
He described the ongoing delays and investigations as “harassment and negative treatment” of groups that have long stood with Israel.
“If this is not resolved,” Huckabee wrote, “our embassy may have to publicly announce that the State of Israel is no longer welcoming Christian organizations.”
He added that American Christians may be urged to reconsider travel and donations to Israel.
Reciprocal Visa Action Possible
Huckabee also warned of possible retaliatory visa policies for Israeli citizens.
“If the government of Israel continues to cause the expense and bureaucratic harassment,” he wrote, “I will have no other choice.”
The Christian Post reports that Israel’s Interior Ministry—dominated by ultra-Orthodox parties—has long resisted Christian visa applicants.
Many of these officials accuse Christian groups of trying to “missionize” Jews, despite decades of support for the Jewish state.
Letter Sent to Netanyahu
Huckabee sent copies of the letter to top Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
So far, there’s been no official response.
