Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized US Ambassador Mike Huckabee after he met with senior haredi politicians, and urged them not to bring down the government, according to a Channel 13 report on Monday.

“Since I have no doubt that Ambassador Huckabee respects Israel’s independence and its democracy, I hope and believe that the report that he is interfering in Israel’s internal politics and trying to help Netanyahu face the ultra-Orthodox in the evasion law crisis cannot be true. Israel is not a protectorate,” Lapid wrote on X/Twitter.

Sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Huckabee’s involvement in the discussions with haredi leaders and said they were satisfied with his efforts, according to the report.

However, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman rejected Huckabee’s remarks, calling them “an unprecedented and unreasonable statement.”

Huckabee, according to Channel 13, emphasized the importance of maintaining government stability and warned that early elections would be a mistake.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee addresses the media outside the US Embassy in Jerusalem, May 9, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee addresses the media outside the US Embassy in Jerusalem, May 9, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Meetings with haredi leaders

One of Huckabee’s meetings reportedly took place last Thursday with Jewish Tradition Minister Meir Porush, during which the ambassador allegedly said: “No to dissolving the government.”

In another conversation over the weekend with a senior haredi politician, Huckabee said: “Government stability is important for dealing with the Iranian issue,” implying he was speaking on behalf of the US administration.

Channel 13 also reported that Huckabee spoke with Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, a leading haredi Lithuanian figure.

Speaking in English, Huckabee reportedly warned that holding elections amid threats from Iran and Yemen could make it more difficult for Washington to support Israel.

The ambassador said he could not dictate what the senior figure should do but added: “Washington will have difficulty supporting Israel during an election period.”