U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee is warning that growing skepticism toward Israel among some conservatives is fueled by what he describes as «biblical ignorance» and a misinterpretation of the «America First» movement. Speaking ahead of the 15th anniversary of the U.S. Israel Education Association, Huckabee rejected the notion that prioritizing American interests requires pushing away longstanding allies. He argued that support for Israel aligns both with U.S. strategic interests and the religious convictions held by many Christians.
«When I look at the things on the right, what I see is that there's biblical ignorance,» Huckabee said in an interview. He pointed to arguments that God has broken his covenant with the Jewish people, calling that idea inconsistent with his faith. «If God broke his promise to the Jews, then what makes me, as a Christian, think that he won't break his promise to me?» added Huckabee, who is a former governor of Arkansas and an ordained Baptist minister. He also served as president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, giving him a perspective shaped by both politics and faith.
The ambassador dismissed claims that Christians face restrictions on worship in Israel. He noted that he plays bass guitar in his church praise band every Sunday without incident, saying «nobody throws a chair at me.» His remarks come amid a broader shift in right-wing media and among influential podcasters, including Joe Rogan, who recently stated there was «no doubt» Israel was guilty of genocide in Gaza. Such views, Huckabee implied, stem from a lack of biblical understanding and a misunderstanding of modern geopolitics.
However, the ambassador's concerns extend beyond theology. Huckabee argued that some conservatives have misinterpreted the «America First» movement as pure isolationism. «I say I am too. I was MAGA before anybody knew what MAGA was,» he told Fox News Digital. «America First has never meant America only.» He explained that America's interests do not stop at its borders, particularly when it comes to combating enemy threats.
Huckabee pointed to Iran and its proxies as key reasons why the United States cannot afford to disengage from global affairs. The regime, he noted, has spent decades calling for «death to America» and has proxies around the world, including the Houthis in Yemen. «They've never changed their message that they want to murder us,» he said. «So, when people tell you for 47 years their goal is to kill you, you're pretty stupid if you don't pay attention to that, and even more stupid if you do nothing about it.» The interview also coincides with former President Donald Trump's threat of major military punishment for Iran over future Houthi attacks, highlighting the ongoing tensions.
The ambassador's defense of the U.S.-Israel relationship reflects a longstanding alignment among many evangelical Christians who view support for Israel as both a strategic and theological imperative. The debate over that relationship has intensified as voices on the right increasingly question the costs and moral implications of American involvement abroad, particularly in the Middle East. Huckabee's comments come as the U.S. Israel Education Association marks its 15th anniversary, an organization dedicated to educating Americans about the importance of the U.S.-Israel bond.
While Huckabee acknowledged that conservatives are not monolithic, he urged them to base their foreign policy views on accurate information and religious understanding rather than trending narratives. His remarks underscore ongoing tensions within the conservative movement over the direction of U.S. foreign policy and the influence of faith-based arguments in shaping it. As the debate continues, Huckabee's warning about biblical ignorance serves as a reminder of the deep religious roots that still inform American political discourse on Israel.
