U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee is warning that rising skepticism among some conservatives toward the U.S.-Israel relationship is driven by what he describes as «biblical ignorance» and a misunderstanding of the «America First» philosophy. Speaking ahead of the 15th anniversary of the U.S. Israel Education Association, Huckabee rejected the notion that putting America first requires pushing away allies. Instead, he argued that steadfast support for Israel is not only in America’s strategic interest but also consistent with the religious convictions held by many Christians.
Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas and an ordained Baptist minister, expressed concern that some on the right have begun to question the United States’ longstanding alliance with Israel. «When I look at the things on the right what I see is that there’s biblical ignorance,» he said. «People who say, 'you know, God has no longer got a promise that he's keeping to the Jewish people,' and I'm thinking 'well, that's news to God because he doesn't break a promise.'» He added that if God broke his promise to the Jews, Christians could no longer trust in their own covenant with God. This theological perspective, shaped by his roles as both a politician and a former president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, underpins his defense of the U.S.-Israel partnership.
The ambassador also addressed growing hostility toward Israel in some corners of right-wing media and among prominent podcast personalities, such as Joe Rogan, who recently stated that there was «no doubt» Israel was guilty of «genocide» in Gaza. While acknowledging that such views are becoming more prevalent, Huckabee dismissed claims that Christians are not welcome or allowed to worship freely in Israel. He noted that he plays bass guitar in his church praise band every Sunday in Israel and said «nobody throws a chair at me.»
Beyond theological debates, Huckabee warned that some conservatives have misinterpreted the «America First» movement as a call for pure isolationism. He emphasized that being «America First» does not mean «America only.» «I was MAGA before anybody knew what MAGA was,» Huckabee said. «America First has never meant America only.» He argued that America’s interests extend beyond its borders, particularly when it comes to combating threats from adversaries such as Iran. The regime in Tehran, he noted, has spent decades calling for «death to America» and supports proxies across the globe that pose direct dangers to U.S. security.
Huckabee pointed to the continued threats from Iran and its allied groups as compelling reasons for the United States to remain engaged overseas. «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.» His remarks underline a conviction that the U.S.-Israel relationship is not merely a matter of faith or historical friendship but a strategic necessity in a volatile region.
The ambassador’s comments come amid a broader debate within conservative circles about the direction of American foreign policy. While many evangelicals and traditional conservatives remain staunch supporters of Israel, a growing number of younger and more populist voices on the right have expressed skepticism about endless foreign commitments. Huckabee’s intervention seeks to reaffirm the alliance by grounding it in both biblical teaching and realpolitik, warning that abandoning Israel would be both a moral and strategic error.
