[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  Amit Segal [@AmitSegal](/creator/twitter/AmitSegal) on x 39.8K followers Created: 2025-07-18 12:02:28 UTC US Ambassador to Israel @GovMikeHuckabee sent a searing letter to Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, threatening not only to warn Christian Americans that Israel does not welcome them, but to introduce harsh measures against Israeli citizens seeking visas to the US. As exclusively reported last night by @yaronavraham, the ambassador’s letter came following what he claimed is Jerusalem’s denial of collective entry visas to dozens of Christian organizations. Astonishingly, Huckabee wrote in the letter that Israel’s policy toward Christian groups has become stricter under President Trump. But don’t take my paraphrasing at face value—read Huckabee’s exact wording. “It would be very unfortunate if our embassy were forced to publicly announce throughout the United States that the State of Israel does not welcome Christian organizations and their representatives, and instead engages in harassment and negative treatment of them,” the ambassador wrote, according to @TheBelaaz. “We are also obligated to warn Christians in America that their generous donations are being met with hostility, and that tourists should reconsider their travels.” As for Israelis wanting to visit America? “If the Israeli government continues to cause bureaucratic harassment, I will have no choice but to instruct our consular department to explore the possibility of reciprocal treatment of Israeli citizens applying for visas to the United States,” read the letter, a copy of which was sent to Israel’s prime minister, president, foreign minister, and Knesset speaker. Important context: Huckabee and Arbel met in May to discuss this very issue—but Washington is evidently not happy with Jerusalem’s actions since. And Arbel isn’t happy either. In a letter obtained by @Lazar_Berman, the minister shot back at Huckabee, writing, “I was particularly surprised by the manner in which your concerns were raised—and by your decision to address your letter to a wide range of senior officials without first approaching me or my office directly. In my view, this course of action deviates from accepted working norms and does not reflect the direct and constructive relationship we have established.” Nevertheless, Arbel asserted that “to the best of my knowledge… every request that was personally brought to the attention of my office has been addressed within an exceptionally short timeframe,” and that he “issued the same directives regarding the cases mentioned” in Huckabee’s letter. Ordinarily, a senior American diplomat sending such a threatening letter to Israeli officials would rightly provoke surprise. But Huckabee isn’t any diplomat—he has been an exceptionally friendly ambassador to Israel, which makes this letter all the more unusual. So much for quiet diplomacy.  XXXXXXX engagements  **Related Topics** [israel](/topic/israel) [Post Link](https://x.com/AmitSegal/status/1946178758316044538)
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Amit Segal @AmitSegal on x 39.8K followers
Created: 2025-07-18 12:02:28 UTC
US Ambassador to Israel @GovMikeHuckabee sent a searing letter to Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, threatening not only to warn Christian Americans that Israel does not welcome them, but to introduce harsh measures against Israeli citizens seeking visas to the US.
As exclusively reported last night by @yaronavraham, the ambassador’s letter came following what he claimed is Jerusalem’s denial of collective entry visas to dozens of Christian organizations.
Astonishingly, Huckabee wrote in the letter that Israel’s policy toward Christian groups has become stricter under President Trump.
But don’t take my paraphrasing at face value—read Huckabee’s exact wording.
“It would be very unfortunate if our embassy were forced to publicly announce throughout the United States that the State of Israel does not welcome Christian organizations and their representatives, and instead engages in harassment and negative treatment of them,” the ambassador wrote, according to @TheBelaaz.
“We are also obligated to warn Christians in America that their generous donations are being met with hostility, and that tourists should reconsider their travels.”
As for Israelis wanting to visit America? “If the Israeli government continues to cause bureaucratic harassment, I will have no choice but to instruct our consular department to explore the possibility of reciprocal treatment of Israeli citizens applying for visas to the United States,” read the letter, a copy of which was sent to Israel’s prime minister, president, foreign minister, and Knesset speaker.
Important context: Huckabee and Arbel met in May to discuss this very issue—but Washington is evidently not happy with Jerusalem’s actions since.
And Arbel isn’t happy either. In a letter obtained by @Lazar_Berman, the minister shot back at Huckabee, writing, “I was particularly surprised by the manner in which your concerns were raised—and by your decision to address your letter to a wide range of senior officials without first approaching me or my office directly. In my view, this course of action deviates from accepted working norms and does not reflect the direct and constructive relationship we have established.”
Nevertheless, Arbel asserted that “to the best of my knowledge… every request that was personally brought to the attention of my office has been addressed within an exceptionally short timeframe,” and that he “issued the same directives regarding the cases mentioned” in Huckabee’s letter.
Ordinarily, a senior American diplomat sending such a threatening letter to Israeli officials would rightly provoke surprise. But Huckabee isn’t any diplomat—he has been an exceptionally friendly ambassador to Israel, which makes this letter all the more unusual.
So much for quiet diplomacy.
XXXXXXX engagements
Related Topics israel