Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and evangelical Christian, was confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel on April 9, 2025, following a contentious Senate vote. His appointment by President Donald Trump has sparked significant debate, with critics arguing that Huckabee’s deep-rooted ideological alignment with Israel, particularly his evangelical Christian Zionism, may lead him to prioritize Israeli interests over those of the United States. This article explores Huckabee’s actions, statements, and their implications, focusing on his controversial remarks about Jews as the “chosen people” and how his tenure reflects a potential bias toward Israel.
Huckabee’s Christian Zionism and the “Chosen People” Narrative
Huckabee’s evangelical faith profoundly shapes his worldview, particularly his unwavering support for Israel. Rooted in dispensational premillennialism, a theological stance that positions Jews as God’s chosen people with a divine claim to the land of Israel, Huckabee has consistently tied his political and diplomatic positions to biblical interpretations. In a notable statement posted on X on August 25, 2025, Huckabee declared to two Jewish rabbis, “You are the chosen people, you’re in a chosen place, with a chosen purpose.. God has chosen you, and antisemites oppose God.” This rhetoric, while resonating with some pro-Israel groups, has raised concerns about its implications for U.S. diplomacy.Such statements reflect Huckabee’s belief that Israel’s existence and expansion are divinely ordained, a view that aligns closely with the Israeli right’s agenda but diverges from long-standing U.S. policy advocating for a two-state solution. Critics argue that this perspective risks undermining America’s role as an impartial mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By framing Jews as the “chosen people” and Israel’s actions as divinely sanctioned, Huckabee may embolden Israeli policies—such as settlement expansion in the West Bank—that conflict with international law and U.S. interests in fostering regional stability.
A History of Pro-Israel Advocacy
Huckabee’s support for Israel is not new. He has visited the country over 100 times since 1973, leading thousands of evangelical Christians on tours and fostering close ties with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His vocal rejection of Palestinian identity—famously stating in 2008, “There’s really no such thing as a Palestinian”—and his dismissal of the West Bank as “Judea and Samaria” signal a clear alignment with Israel’s far-right factions. He has also opposed ceasefires with Hamas, arguing in June 2024 that the group is “not capable of having an honorable negotiation,” a stance that critics say escalates tensions rather than promotes peace.
Huckabee’s advocacy for Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law, further illustrates his prioritization of Israel’s territorial ambitions. In 2017, he told CNN, “There is no such thing as a West Bank. It’s Judea and Samaria. There’s no such thing as a settlement. They’re communities, they’re neighborhoods, they’re cities.” This rhetoric dismisses Palestinian claims to the land and aligns with the Israeli settler movement, which has celebrated his appointment. Yishai Fleisher, a spokesperson for the Jewish Community of Hebron, called Huckabee a “great friend to Israel” for his support of the controversial Pompeo Doctrine, which recognizes Jewish settlement rights in the West Bank.
Actions as Ambassador: Serving Israel’s Interests?
Since assuming his role, Huckabee has taken steps that critics argue prioritize Israel’s agenda over broader U.S. interests. In May 2025, he expressed outrage at European leaders for condemning Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, insisting that Hamas, not Israel, is responsible for the region’s suffering. This stance, while defending Israel, overlooks the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the Gaza Health Ministry has reported deaths from malnutrition and disease. His dismissal of these concerns as less severe than famines in Sudan or Rwanda has been criticized as downplaying Palestinian suffering to shield Israel from international scrutiny.
Huckabee’s symbolic gestures also reflect his alignment with Israel. Upon arriving in Jerusalem in April 2025, he visited the Western Wall, one of Judaism’s holiest sites, to insert a prayer for peace written by President Trump. While presented as a diplomatic act, this move was seen by some as pandering to Israel’s religious and nationalist sentiments rather than addressing the complex geopolitical realities of the region.
On X, Huckabee has used his platform to defend Israel vigorously. For instance, on August 13, 2025, he criticized the United Nations for failing to deliver humanitarian aid effectively in Gaza, implying that the UN’s inefficiencies, not Israel’s actions, are to blame for the crisis. On August 12, he accused a journalist of being a member of Hamas, framing criticism of Israel as inherently biased or terroristic. These posts suggest a pattern of deflecting criticism from Israel, potentially at the expense of objective U.S. diplomacy.
Implications for U.S. Policy and Regional Stability
Huckabee’s tenure raises concerns about the erosion of America’s credibility as a neutral broker in the Middle East. His rejection of a two-state solution, a cornerstone of U.S. policy for decades, and his support for Israeli annexation of the West Bank directly contradict international consensus and the views of many American Jews. Over 65 faith-based and human rights organizations, including Christian, Jewish, and Muslim groups, opposed his nomination, arguing that his “extreme views” could “embolden those who oppose peace and fuel further division.”
Democratic lawmakers, such as Rep. Jerry Nadler, have warned that Huckabee’s Christian nationalist vision risks empowering policies counter to U.S. interests and Israel’s democratic character. The National Council of Jewish Women echoed this, stating that his divisive rhetoric and rejection of Palestinian statehood could destabilize the region. Even some pro-Israel groups, like J Street, have criticized Huckabee as out of touch with Jewish American values, accusing him of promoting an extremist agenda tied to Trump’s MAGA base.
Huckabee’s alignment with Israel’s far-right could also complicate President Trump’s stated goal of expanding the Abraham Accords, which aim to normalize relations between Israel and Arab states. His provocative statements, such as his July 2025 jab at France for recognizing Palestinian statehood—likening it to the UK declaring France a colony—have drawn accusations of diplomatic recklessness. Such rhetoric risks alienating allies and undermining U.S. leadership in the region.
Defenders and Context
Supporters, including Israeli officials and Republican senators, argue that Huckabee’s staunch support for Israel strengthens the U.S.-Israel alliance at a critical time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called his confirmation a “great day for the Israeli-American alliance,” and GOP leaders like Sen. John Barrasso praised his role in reinforcing the “unbreakable bond” between the two nations. Huckabee’s defenders, such as the Republican Jewish Coalition, emphasize his deep ties to Israel as a qualification, noting that his evangelical base provides significant political and financial support for Israel.
However, even these defenses highlight Huckabee’s focus on Israel’s interests, particularly those of its right-wing government, over broader U.S. objectives like regional peace or Palestinian rights. His evangelical motivations, tied to a belief in Israel’s role in biblical prophecy, raise questions about whether his loyalty lies more with a theological vision than with American diplomatic priorities.
Mike Huckabee’s tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Israel has been marked by a clear alignment with Israel’s far-right policies, driven by his evangelical Christian Zionism and exemplified by his statements about Jews as the “chosen people.” While his supporters view this as a strength, critics argue that his rejection of Palestinian identity, support for illegal settlements, and dismissal of international criticism prioritize Israel’s expansionist agenda over U.S. interests in fostering peace and stability. His actions and rhetoric on X and in public statements suggest a diplomat more committed to Israel’s ideological goals than to advancing a balanced U.S. foreign policy. As the Middle East faces ongoing conflicts and delicate negotiations, Huckabee’s approach risks undermining America’s role as a credible mediator, raising questions about whose interests he truly serves.
