Precisely because many believe there has never been a U.S. ambassador as friendly to Israel as Mike Huckabee, it is essential to pay attention to his recent remarks on two issues: violence against Palestinians in the territories and violations of Christian freedom of worship. Huckabee, whose views are closely aligned with Israel’s current government, has chosen to publicly point out its failings — and this should be seen as a serious warning for the future of American support for Israel.
Huckabee is a Baptist minister and Republican politician. In recent years, his party has seen a growing isolationist trend, calling for reduced U.S. involvement abroad, alongside a greater tolerance for antisemitism that would have been unacceptable in the past.
At the same time, criticism among Democrats has intensified over aspects of Israel’s conduct that contradict the shared liberal values underpinning longstanding support. Against this backdrop of troubling trends in both parties, it is vital to preserve backing from seemingly “guaranteed” constituencies, including pro-Israel Christians. To do so, it is necessary to understand who Huckabee is and what concerns him.
Huckabee frequently frames Israel through a religious lens. Despite holding an official position, he continues to express his personal views. A few weeks ago, he said in an interview that Israel has the right to rule from the Euphrates River in Iraq to the River of Egypt, the Nile, as stated in the covenant with Abraham. In the past, he has argued there is no “West Bank” but rather “Judea and Samaria”; no settlements, only communities, neighborhoods and cities; and no such concept as occupation.
Yet in recent months, Ambassador Huckabee — a supporter of a Greater Israel and the settlement enterprise — has warned of the cumulative damage caused by what he has bluntly described as “acts of terror” by Jews against the local Palestinian population in the territories. The U.S. Secretary of State has also addressed the issue, and reports have emerged of a tense conversation between the vice president and the prime minister on the matter.
Regarding freedom of worship, last week on Palm Sunday — one of the most important days in the Christian calendar — police prevented the Latin patriarch, the pope’s representative, from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, as has been customary for centuries, this time accompanied by only three clergy members. Huckabee is a Baptist, and there are theological differences and even tensions between Baptists and Catholics. Nevertheless, he saw fit to issue a statement saying it was “hard to understand or justify preventing the patriarch’s entry.” The issue was eventually resolved, but not before drawing sharp reactions across the Christian world.
Tova HerzlIt follows that even from the perspective of a staunch ally of Israel’s right wing, such as Huckabee, deep flaws in Israel’s conduct cannot be ignored. While Israel prides itself on religious freedom, it does not demonstrate the required sensitivity. It is true that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre lacks a standard protected space, but there is no reason four people could not gather without one — especially when there are reports of large Jewish gatherings in violation of guidelines, from the prime minister attending a megillah reading at Merkaz Harav Yeshiva to Passover seders held by Hasidic leaders.
On the second issue Huckabee raised — while Israel presents itself as a state governed by the rule of law, there are increasing cases in the territories of individuals taking the law into their own hands, at times using means supplied by the state — and possibly even funded by US aid.
Huckabee’s remarks are not an attack from a rival that can be dismissed, but rather reflect the deep concern of a committed ally. Public attention today is focused on missile warnings, but given the risks posed by a potential loss of American support, it is important to heed the warnings and alarms of the kind he is sounding as well.
Tova Herzl is a former ambassador.