WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews)-Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., on Monday called for the immediate resignation of U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, accusing him of failing in his core duty to protect American citizens and interests while acting as an apologist for the Israeli government.

In a video statement released Monday, Van Hollen said: “It’s time for our American ambassador in Israel, Mike Huckabee, to resign. The job of an American ambassador is to defend and protect the interests of the United States of America. Ambassador Huckabee has failed to do that. He’s become an apologist for the extremist government in Israel.”

Van Hollen criticized Huckabee for what he described as insufficient condemnation of violence against American citizens in the West Bank, including incidents involving settlers and Israeli forces. He referenced cases of Americans allegedly beaten or killed and faulted the ambassador for prioritizing support for Israeli policy over U.S. interests. Van Hollen also pointed to Huckabee’s past comments on “Greater Israel” and his public identification as a Christian living comfortably in the Holy Land, arguing the ambassador has neglected the concerns of local Christian communities.

Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and longtime evangelical supporter of Israel, was nominated by President Trump and confirmed as ambassador. He has consistently defended Israel’s security policies and the U.S.-Israel alliance.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) praised Van Hollen’s remarks, saying the ambassador’s “personal ideological and theological allegiance” had compromised his ability to represent all American citizens equally.

Critics of the senator’s position, including pro-Israel voices, argued that strong support for Israel — America’s closest ally in the Middle East — is being treated as a disqualifying stance. Some noted Van Hollen has not issued similar calls regarding other U.S. diplomats in the region, including Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who has faced separate criticism over his approach to Turkish and regional policy.

Huckabee posted on X: “I’m doing something right! Sen Chris Van Hollen (Wasting Away in Margaritaville) & Pro-Hamas CAIR want me to resign.”

“Senator, I will if YOU will. I’ll go see my grandkids & you can take MS-13 gangbangers out for Margaritas like you did before.”