As reported, Tucker Carlson and US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, sat for an interview yesterday in Tel Aviv, Israel. To my knowledge at the time of this writing, the taped interview has not been made public. Thus, it is wise to withhold commentary until we hear the discussion in their own words.

What has appeared are multiple reports regarding Carlson’s behavior while in Israel. As expected, he arrived at Ben Gurion airport in his private jet and never left the airport. He did make his way outdoors for a photo op in front of the VIP terminal with a staffer to post “Greetings from Israel.” (As though he actually visited Israel.) Despite apparent invitations from Huckabee and others to visit Israel for a few days, he declined, then climbed back aboard his aircraft following the interview and left Israel.

According to Carlson, his visit to Israel was not without drama. He alleges, “Men who identified themselves as airport security took our passports, hauled our executive producer into a side room and then demanded to know what we spoke to Ambassador Huckabee about. It was bizarre. We’re now out of the country.” (As if very “put out” that he had to be there in the first place.)

Those claims are “firmly rejected” by Israel Airports Authority and Ambassador Huckabee’s office. Here is the official joint statement from the IAA and the Israeli Foreign Ministry:

Contrary to the reports, Tucker Carlson and his entourage were not detained, delayed, or interrogated. Mr. Carlson and his party were politely asked a few routine questions, in accordance with standard procedures applied to many travelers. The conversation took place in a separate room within the VIP lounge solely to protect their privacy and to avoid conducting such a discussion in public.

First, if you have ever flown into Ben Gurion airport and gone through unusual (by American standards) questioning, raise your hand! (That is very common in the most security-sensitive airport in the world.) When I lead tour groups, part of the preparation is to assure our group that a few people in our group will almost assuredly be randomly separated from the group and questioned about why we are there, how we know one another, and what the purpose of the trip is. And they will hold your passport as they question you. It is all part of the security process in Israel, so no need to be anxious or fearful. Just answer their questions! That experience is not isolated to Carlson and his entourage.

Secondly, he was there to see the highest-ranking government official from the US. Part of the security agreement between the US and Israel is to implement heightened security measures to protect one another’s dignitaries. Expect to be questioned if you desire to see important government leaders. (The same is true of a person coming to visit the Israeli ambassador to the US on American soil.) Furthermore, even Ambassador Huckabee must pass passport control and security questioning when he comes and goes from Israel, though he holds a diplomatic passport. Why would Tucker Carlson expect less?

Regarding the interview itself, a person familiar with the proceedings described the engagement as “a long, productive, and emotional conversation.” Reportedly, Carlson asked questions “a lot of Americans are asking,” and Huckabee provided answers and corrected things he believed to be wrong.

Yesterday’s post encouraged us to pray for God’s wisdom and truth to shine in this interview. Thanks to those of you who joined the prayer effort. Now we wait for the release of the interview. May God be glorified through our faithful ambassador.

PS: Some ask, “Why is this important?” Americans are becoming less and less supportive of Israel and much of the influence is coming from popular figures such as Tucker Carlson. He has time and again spoken hatred toward Israel and toward Ambassador Huckabee personally. This exchange was important because Mike Huckabee actually took a stand for righteousness in the face of false accusations and blatant antisemitic remarks by Carlson. May we all be willing to stand for the truth of God’s Word.

One cannot hate what God loves and love what God hates and remain consistent with Biblical principles.