Israeli minister accuses Huckabee of ‘deviating from accepted working norms’ over demand for visas to Christian groups

After US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee issued a threatening letter to Interior Minister Moshe Arbel over Evangelical Christian groups not receiving visas into Israel, the ultra-Orthodox Shas lawmaker responds that he is “particularly surprised” by the way in which the envoy raised his concerns.

“Immediately following our meeting,” writes Arbel in a letter to Huckabee shared with The Times of Israel, “I instructed all relevant professional bodies to act in accordance with the understandings we reached, and I assigned advisers from my office — headed by the chief of staff — to ensure a personal, continuous and effective response to such requests.”

The two met on May 27 to discuss problems encountered by Christian Zionists seeking to visit Israel.

“Every request that was personally brought to the attention of my office has been addressed within an exceptionally short timeframe,” Arbel insists. “I issued the same directives regarding the cases mentioned in your letter — cases that had not previously been brought to my attention.”

Huckabee sent copies of his letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.

“Given the direct line of communication between my staff and your representatives,” writes Arbel, “and in light of the fact that every request received by my office has thus far been handled promptly, 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.”

Arbel adds that the relationship between the two countries is “among the most valued and significant partnerships.”

“I greatly appreciate your consistent support for Israel and your steadfast commitment to our partnership. For this reason, I believe it is incumbent upon us to act in a spirit of coordination, mutual trust, and respect — even when misunderstandings or difficulties arise,” he concludes.