| Published July 18, 2025
US envoy pens scathing letter to interior minister, accusing Israel of blocking Christian groups from entering Israel and warning of reciprocal steps against Israeli visa seekers
A deepening rift between one of America’s most prominent evangelical leaders and the Israeli government has burst into public view—exposing fault lines in a decades-long alliance rooted in faith, politics, and diplomacy. In a leaked letter that has since sent shockwaves through religious and diplomatic circles, former Arkansas Governor and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee threatened to publicly declare that Israel is no longer welcoming to Christians. At the heart of the controversy: a growing backlog of visa denials and delays affecting Christian missionaries and humanitarian workers long active in the Holy Land. What once seemed an unshakable bond between Christian Zionists and the Jewish state is now facing an unexpected test—one that could reshape how millions of evangelicals view their relationship with Israel.
🕊️ What happened?
In early 2025, a troubling pattern began to emerge for Christian organizations operating in Israel. Long-standing ministries—some with decades of presence in the country—began reporting unexplained delays and denials in visa renewals for their staff. Among those affected were missionaries, nonprofit workers, and faith-based volunteers affiliated with respected groups such as the Assemblies of God, the Baptist Convention, and the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
As reports of visa troubles grew, so did frustration among evangelicals—culminating in a scathing letter from former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, now a U.S. Ambassador-at-Large and one of Israel’s most visible Christian supporters. The letter, addressed to Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, was soon leaked to the press. In it, Huckabee warned that if the Israeli government continued to restrict entry for Christian workers, the U.S. Embassy could no longer remain silent.
Huckabee’s message was clear: if these visa issues were not resolved promptly, he would have no choice but to tell the American Christian public that “Israel is no longer welcoming to Christians.” He went further, threatening potential consequences such as travel advisories, diplomatic pressure, and even reciprocal visa restrictions on Israelis seeking to enter the United States.
His letter cited not only bureaucratic delays but also an apparent shift in tone and policy by Israel’s Ministry of Interior, now led by a member of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party. Evangelical leaders say ministry staff have subjected Christian workers to increasingly intense scrutiny—asking probing questions about their activities and intentions. Though Israel has historically been cautious about proselytizing, many in the Christian community argue this new level of resistance crosses a line, punishing those who have served the Israeli people for years through education, health services, and interfaith outreach.
The dispute quickly became public, with coverage appearing in Breitbart, The Times of Israel, and The Jerusalem Post, bringing global attention to what might otherwise have remained a quiet diplomatic matter. Interior Minister Arbel pushed back, expressing surprise at Huckabee’s harsh tone and insisting that all formal visa requests raised by the U.S. Embassy had been reviewed fairly and promptly.
Still, the controversy has stirred anxieties among Christian groups who feel their presence is being questioned—and resentment among Israeli officials who view Huckabee’s letter as an overstep. Behind the scenes, both sides are scrambling to contain the fallout before the situation damages the deeply intertwined political and spiritual alliance between Israel and millions of American evangelicals.
📬 Key Excerpts from the Letter
(From U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee to Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel)
In his sharply worded letter, Ambassador Mike Huckabee expressed deep frustration with the Israeli government’s treatment of long-time Christian partners, warning that continued inaction could have far-reaching consequences for Israel’s relationship with American evangelicals.
Here are the key points and quotes from the leaked correspondence:
A stark warning to Israel’s leadership
“If this situation is not remedied immediately, I will have no choice but to inform Christian groups, churches, and donors that Israel no longer welcomes Christian organizations.”
Huckabee opens with an unequivocal message: the treatment of Christian workers is not just an administrative matter—it signals a broader perception problem that could alienate millions of American Christians who have historically supported Israel.
Public perception will shift—fast
“Their goodwill is being met with hostility by Israel. We will have to advise Christians to reconsider visiting, donating, or volunteering.”
This section suggests a looming public relations crisis. Huckabee makes it clear that unless visas are granted and respected, his office may actively discourage U.S. churches and individuals from traveling to or investing in Israel—reversing decades of close engagement.
Citing specific cases of discrimination
“These are not new groups. These are ministries that have been serving the people of Israel—Jews and Arabs alike—for decades.”
Huckabee defends the integrity of the affected Christian groups, pointing out that they have deep roots in Israeli society and a history of peaceful, charitable work. His tone implies that the recent wave of visa scrutiny is unjustified and politically motivated.
An implicit threat of diplomatic retaliation
“We may have no alternative but to explore reciprocal visa policies toward Israeli officials and citizens.”
This is perhaps the most diplomatically aggressive line in the letter. Huckabee hints that the U.S. government—or Christian political advocates within it—could push for restrictions on Israeli travel to the U.S. if the discrimination continues.
A call for immediate administrative action
“I urge your ministry to act without delay to resolve these matters and avoid damaging the precious relationship between Israel and millions of its Christian allies.”
Here, Huckabee moves from warning to appeal. He frames the issue not only as a bureaucratic failure but as a spiritual and strategic misstep that could erode Israel’s standing with its most loyal foreign supporters.
Tone: Firm, urgent, and unusually public
Although diplomatic correspondence is often private and carefully worded, the tone of Huckabee’s letter is blunt, emotionally charged, and designed to escalate. The fact that it was leaked—possibly by evangelical groups themselves—signals that Huckabee wanted public pressure to force a resolution.
🛡️ Israel’s response
Israel’s Ministry of Interior, caught off guard by the tone and intensity of the letter from U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, issued a measured but firm rebuttal. The letter had not only criticized Israeli immigration policy but also threatened to damage Israel’s long-standing relationship with the global Christian community—particularly American evangelicals, who have historically stood as one of the Jewish state’s strongest foreign support bases.
- Interior Minister Moshe Arbel expresses “surprise”
Moshe Arbel, a senior figure in the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party, responded directly to Huckabee’s allegations. In a public statement and follow-up communication, Arbel said he was “particularly surprised by the sharp tone and diplomatic implications” of Huckabee’s letter.
“All the visa requests submitted to me by the U.S. Embassy have been dealt with swiftly, professionally, and with great respect.”
Arbel insisted that his ministry had not discriminated against Christian organizations and that no intentional delays were made against U.S. nationals or religious workers. He emphasized that, from his office’s perspective, proper procedures were followed and that Israel remains open to Christian tourism, philanthropy, and service work.
- Israel defends its visa vetting process
While not denying that visa issues occurred, the Ministry suggested that delays were likely the result of bureaucratic backlogs, security protocols, or compliance reviews—not religious or political bias.
Israeli immigration policy has long included special scrutiny of proselytizing, especially when it comes to foreign Christian organizations. While evangelicals often see their mission as humanitarian and faith-based, some segments of Israeli society—especially the ultra-Orthodox—perceive Christian missionary activity as a threat to Jewish identity.
“The State of Israel has the sovereign right to evaluate and approve visas in accordance with its laws and national interests,” one official noted anonymously in Israeli media.
- A call for diplomatic civility
Arbel urged Huckabee and other U.S. officials to resolve the situation with “mutual trust and respect” rather than through public pressure campaigns. He cautioned that making threats in the media would only “unnecessarily escalate tensions” and undermine decades of goodwill.
“I hope that our nations can resolve these matters through quiet dialogue, not dramatic headlines.”
- Wider political context matters
Arbel’s response also reflects deeper internal political dynamics in Israel. As a member of a religious party, he must balance external diplomatic expectations with domestic religious sensitivities. Ultra-Orthodox groups—Arbel’s base—are often critical of non-Jewish religious activity in Israel, particularly when it involves conversions or Christian outreach.
While the Israeli government values evangelical support, it also must manage internal coalition politics, especially with its current right-wing and religiously conservative leadership.
- No direct apology—but possible behind-the-scenes diplomacy
Israel’s public response avoided direct apologies or major concessions, but reports suggest that quiet back-channel discussions between American diplomats and Israeli officials are already underway. Both sides appear interested in preventing a rupture in evangelical–Israeli ties.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee speaks during a dinner with US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Blue Room of the White House, July 7, 2025 (credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Implications:
The fallout from Mike Huckabee’s warning to Israel over the visa denials for Christian organizations extends well beyond paperwork—it risks reshaping religious diplomacy, foreign policy, and grassroots support for Israel among American evangelicals. Here’s a breakdown of the broader implications:
1. Strained U.S.–Israel Evangelical Alliance
For decades, evangelical Christians in the United States have been some of Israel’s most reliable allies—financially, politically, and spiritually.
-
Huckabee’s threat to label Israel as “unwelcoming to Christians” could trigger a shift in perception among millions of U.S. believers.
-
If Christian donors or tour groups begin to withdraw support, it may undercut Israel’s soft power in the U.S., especially in conservative circles.
2. Impact on Christian Tourism and Donations
Israel receives millions of Christian tourists each year, particularly from the U.S., many of whom come on faith-based pilgrimages or church group tours.
-
A public statement discouraging Christian travel would likely result in a significant drop in tourism revenue.
-
Evangelical charities, churches, and missions might also reconsider donations or sponsorships if they believe they’re being blocked or marginalized.
3. Diplomatic Tension Between U.S. and Israel
Though Huckabee is not a formal ambassador with executive power, his status as a political and religious figure gives his threats weight.
-
If the U.S. government adopts his concerns, formal diplomatic pressure could follow.
-
Huckabee mentioned potential reciprocal visa restrictions on Israeli officials, a serious escalation that could affect Israeli diplomacy and travel.
4. Internal Tensions Within Israel’s Coalition Government
The backlash may deepen existing friction within Israel’s government, especially between secular leaders and ultra-Orthodox parties like Shas.
-
The controversy places Minister Moshe Arbel and his ministry under scrutiny, especially from pro-Western business and tourism sectors.
-
It also forces Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to balance internal religious politics with international public relations.
5. Reputation Risk in the Global Christian Community
Beyond the U.S., Christians from Latin America, Europe, and Asia also send missionaries and volunteers to Israel.
-
The current visa issue could spread concerns globally, prompting Christian leaders worldwide to ask: Is Israel turning its back on us?
6. Encouragement to Israel’s Critics
Opponents of Israel—especially those critical of its religious policies—may seize on this dispute to challenge the narrative of religious openness.
-
This gives ammunition to groups that want to portray Israel as intolerant of religious minorities, potentially swaying public opinion in key countries.
7. Increased Scrutiny of Christian Missions in Israel
Even if Israel resolves this particular issue, the controversy could result in:
-
More scrutiny of Christian organizations entering the country
-
Tougher regulations or surveillance under the pretext of anti-proselytizing laws
-
A chilling effect on future applications from faith-based groups
Overall Takeaway:
The clash between Mike Huckabee and Israel’s Interior Ministry is more than a bureaucratic dispute—it’s a warning sign that even the most time-tested alliances can fray when faith, politics, and sovereignty collide. For decades, American evangelicals have stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel, not just as allies but as spiritual kin. That bond is now under stress.
As visa delays frustrate long-standing Christian ministries and the Israeli government defends its gatekeeping authority, both sides face a crucial choice: escalate and risk alienation, or reconcile and restore trust. What hangs in the balance is not only the future of evangelical cooperation in the Holy Land, but also the perception—shared by millions—that Israel remains a place where Christians are welcomed, not rejected.
If left unresolved, this controversy could redefine the tone of Christian–Israeli relations for years to come. But if handled with honesty, humility, and dialogue, it could also reaffirm the shared values that brought these unlikely partners together in the first place.
Be the first to comment