Defying MAGA
Huckabee: I Still Stand With Israel
Voices in the MAGA movement and the American far right have turned against Israel as many approach and embrace antisemitism. Nevertheless, American Ambassador Mike Huckabee remains a steadfast supporter of the Jewish State, defying some in the administration.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is leaning heavily on decades of evangelical faith as he publicly defends American support for Israel, even as some prominent figures aligned with the MAGA movement openly question the alliance, according to a report published over the weekend.
Huckabee, an evangelical Christian, first visited Israel at age 17 and has returned more than 100 times since, many through a travel company he founded that organized pilgrimages for tens of thousands of Americans. He has long described his connection to Israel as both personal and theological, a perspective that now informs his diplomatic role.
His stance has drawn criticism from figures including Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who have questioned whether continued US support for Israel aligns with American national interests. Carlson recently referred to Christian Zionism as “Christian heresy,” remarks that prompted a sharp response from Huckabee.
“I’m very sad for Tucker, who has revealed a level of hate toward me and other Christians,” Huckabee said. “I’m not sure Tucker is the right person to give me a theology lesson. I’ll leave that to God.”
Huckabee is the first prominent evangelical Christian to serve as US ambassador to Israel, a fact that underscores a broader shift in Republican politics over the past decade. During Trump administrations, the US recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and moved its embassy to Jerusalem, moves strongly supported by evangelical voters.
Polling cited in the report shows continued strong support for Israel among white evangelicals overall, roughly on par with support among American Jews. However, the data also points to a generational divide. Younger evangelical Republicans are significantly less likely than older evangelicals to sympathize more with Israel than with the Palestinians.
Huckabee has acknowledged concern about declining support among younger Christians, attributing the shift to reduced familiarity with biblical teachings related to Israel. Other evangelical leaders have echoed those concerns, warning of a long-term erosion in support.
As ambassador, Huckabee has been outspoken in defending Israeli policies, referring to Judea and Samaria by the region's historical name and rejecting the term “occupation.” He has also questioned the concept of a distinct Palestinian national identity, remarks that have drawn criticism from former US officials.
Huckabee has said he makes no attempt to separate his personal beliefs from his diplomatic work. “You can’t separate who you are, what your values are, what your worldview is,” he said. “I don’t try to separate mine from who I am.”