Israel Must Choose: Stand with Christians or Face the Consequences

The righteous stand for religious freedom, former Arkansas Governor and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has fired a clear warning shot across the bow of the Israeli government: Stop discriminating against Christian ministries and Tourists—or prepare for the consequences.

In a letter sent Wednesday to Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, Ambassador Huckabee accused the Israeli government of making it increasingly difficult for Christian organizations to obtain visas for their workers in Israel—many of whom are involved in humanitarian aid, evangelism, education, and tourism.

Let that sink in: the very nation that owes its modern survival in no small part to Christian political support and billions in donations is now blocking Christian workers from operating within its borders.

"It would be unfortunate if we were forced to announce that you have a negative attitude toward organizations, that Christian donations are met with hostility—or to issue notices to tourists to reconsider travel," Huckabee wrote with clarity and conviction.

For decades, American Christians have stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel. We've defended it in our churches, funded it with our dollars, and elected leaders who pledge unwavering support. But we did not send our prayers, money, and missionaries to be treated like second-class citizens in the Holy Land.

Let’s be honest: This isn’t just a bureaucratic hiccup. This is a spiritual insult. Christian workers are being told, in so many words, that they are not welcome in the land where Jesus walked.

Ambassador Huckabee is absolutely right to raise the alarm. If Israel continues down this path, there must be real consequences. That means reconsidering U.S. visa access for Israelis. That means warning Christian tourists—millions strong every year—that they may not be welcome anymore. And that means taking a hard look at how our tax dollars are used in our so-called "special relationship."

This is not a call to abandon Israel—far from it. But friendship must go both ways. If Israel wants continued support from American Christians, it must respect the rights of Christians to minister, serve, and visit freely.

We call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Arbel to reverse this policy immediately. Stop the bureaucratic persecution of Christian groups. Open the doors. And remember who your true friends are.

If Israel turns its back on the global Christian community, it risks losing not just financial and political backing—but moral credibility on the world stage.

Enough is enough.

America stands for religious liberty—and we expect our allies to do the same.