Arkansas Jewish Community Opposes Huckabee Appointment as US Ambassador to Israel

As Jews, we have a long history of confronting discrimination, hatred, and injustice. Our commitment to fighting antisemitism is deeply rooted in our experiences of persecution, exile, and resilience throughout history. We know deeply the threats posed by Christian nationalism and its potential to undermine democratic values, religious freedom, and the protection of all people. This is why we strongly oppose the appointment of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel.

Huckabee’s support for Israel is deeply rooted in Christian Zionism, a theology that sees Israel and the Jewish people as a vehicle for the fulfillment of Christian prophecy. In this framework, Jews are instrumentalized—we are seen not as a diverse community with our own intrinsic value and beliefs, but rather as a means to hasten the return of Jesus and a Christian supremacist narrative.

Huckabee’s hardline support for policies such as settlement expansion and his opposition to a two-state solution ignores the broad spectrum of Jewish opinion, both in Israel and the diaspora. Huckabee has echoed harmful tropes, questioning the loyalty of American Jews who disagree with his views and suggesting they are “betraying” Israel.

Such rhetoric feeds into antisemitic stereotypes and creates division within Jewish communities. By dismissing and threatening Jewish individuals and groups like ours who oppose Israeli treatment of Palestinians, Christian Nationalism, and Christian Zionism Huckabee fails to respect the diverse perspectives within Jewish communities and silences legitimate Jewish concerns.

It is clear: Mike Huckabee is no friend of the Jewish people.

The U.S. must support a negotiated solution that would provide equal rights and security to all people within Israel and Palestine. By backing policies that favor only one side, Huckabee’s approach will alienate key stakeholders and block efforts toward a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to ensure freedom and equality for all people between the river and the sea: Israelis and Palestinians.

We will continue to fight for Jews across the Diaspora hand in hand with our Palestinian neighbors to work towards a better future.