In a Sharp Speech.. The U.S. Ambassador Threatens Israelis Over Travel Visas for Christians

Translation by SadaNews - The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth revealed last night a threat made by U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee to Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel regarding the difficulties faced by Israelis in obtaining visas to enter the United States.

According to the Hebrew newspaper, as translated by SadaNews, this came against the backdrop of what Huckabee described as the challenges posed by the Israeli Interior Ministry in granting visas to Christian organizations and their workers.

Huckabee wrote in his message to Arbel, "This is not the relationship that Israel wishes to establish with its best partner and friend."

Huckabee pointed out in his message that since the beginning of this year, the visa administration stopped implementing the recommendations listed for it previously and began independently investigating each evangelical organization to determine whether it should be recognized as a religious institution and whether it should continue to receive visas, indicating that some have been active since before 1948. They were asked to fill out extensive questionnaires, and none of them received new visas for their clergy, calling for a return to the previous status.

Huckabee stated: "As the U.S. ambassador representing President Donald Trump, I officially demand a solution to this deteriorating issue so that it does not escalate further," warning that the U.S. State Department may be forced to convey that Israel no longer welcomes Christian organizations and their representatives, that it is practicing significant harassment, and is dealing negatively with organizations with which it has long-standing relationships.

Huckabee warned that Christians in America may be advised that their generous donations to organizations in Israel are met with hostility and that tourists should reconsider their travel until the situation is clearly resolved.

According to Huckabee, "Christian tourism to Israel is an important source not only of revenue but also of goodwill and support for the State of Israel. The tourism ministry in your country can testify to these facts," referring to the close partnership between the United States and Israel, and calling for a return to the previous situation.

He expressed his disappointment and shock, which he cannot explain, regarding the recent actions, demanding that the policy followed for decades continue, stating: "We feel that we are being treated as enemies," according to SadaNews translation.

In response to his message, Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel stated that every request presented to him personally was handled in a very short period of time, and that he issued the same instructions regarding the issues mentioned in Huckabee's letter, which had not been presented to him previously.

Arbel pointed out that he was particularly surprised by the manner in which Huckabee raised his concerns, addressing a wide group of senior Israeli officials without contacting him directly or reaching out to his office.

Arbel said, as translated by SadaNews: "In my opinion, this action deviates from established working rules and does not reflect the direct and organized relationship we have established."

He added: The relationship between the United States and the State of Israel is one of the most valuable and important partnerships... I appreciate your continued support for Israel and your firm commitment to our partnership, and therefore, I believe it is our duty to work in a spirit of coordination, mutual trust, and respect, even in the presence of misunderstandings or difficulties.