It is unclear who leaked the letter, but it was undoubtedly intended to damage bilateral relations at a particularly sensitive time.

US Ambassador to Jerusalem Mike Huckabee delivered an unusually harsh critique of Israel’s current visa practices, claiming that several American Christian groups and activists have recently been denied entry into Israel. Huckabee addressed his concerns in a letter to the Israeli Minister of the Interior, which was later leaked to the Israeli media.

Mike Huckabee, known for his strong pro-Israel stance, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Israeli visa bureaucracy. ‘It would be very unfortunate that our embassy would have to publicly announce throughout the United States that the State of Israel is no longer welcoming Christian organizations,’ Huckabee warned in his letter, which he also sent to President Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to the ambassador, if the current visa issues for Christian travellers persist, they will be compelled to advise the American Christians—who are generous donors to Israel and wish to visit the country—to reconsider their actions.

‘If the government of Israel continues to cause the expense and bureaucratic harassment for the granting of routine visas that for decades have been routine, I will have no other choice than to instruct our consular section to review options for reciprocal treatment of Israeli citizens seeking visas to the United States,’ said Huckabee with a caveat.

Support of Strategic Importance

Huckabee’s letter should not be viewed merely as an administrative or diplomatic issue. The former evangelical pastor is a prominent figure in the pro-Israel American Christian movement, having played a key role in fostering ties between the two countries for decades. He also serves as a bridge between the American evangelical movement and the Israeli right.

Evangelical Christians, comprising a smaller portion of the overall American Christian population—approximately 45 million people—are a highly active community. Their unwavering support for Israel, influence on public opinion, and political lobbying power are indisputable. This influence has contributed to foreign policy decisions such as the relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem.

‘Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel said he was “particularly surprised” at the ambassador’s tone’

According to a 2024 survey by the Chicago Council, 64 per cent of evangelical Christians still support Israel’s war in Gaza—twice the support seen among the general American population—32 per cent. It is therefore clear that alienating this influential American support base would be a strategic mistake for Israel.

The Pope Also Spoke Out for Peace

After receiving the letter, Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel said he was ‘particularly surprised’ at the ambassador’s tone. While emphasizing the importance of the American partnership, he called for mutual respect and trust to resolve the situation.

‘In my view, this course of action deviates from accepted working norms and does not reflect the direct and constructive relationship we have established,’ he said, adding that the relationship between the two countries is ‘among the most valued and significant partnerships’.

The matter leaked at a particularly sensitive moment, following a tragic incident early Friday morning when a stray Israeli artillery shell struck Gaza’s only Catholic church, the Holy Family Church, killing three people. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office apologized for the accident and promised an investigation.

‘I once again ask for an immediate end to the barbarity of the war’

‘Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza’s Holy Family Church,’ the Prime Minister’s Office said. ‘Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful.’

The statement also expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his ‘words of comfort’ after he had issued a statement expressing his sadness over the loss of life in the Gaza City strike and reiterating his hope for a ceasefire, while avoiding a direct condemnation of Israel.

‘I once again ask for an immediate end to the barbarity of the war and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict,’ Pope Leo XIV urged.

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