‘Spiritual darkness’: US ambassador to Israel says critics of Iran war are blinded by Satan

Remarks made during an October podcast resurfaced after the US midterm elections, drawing criticism over Huckabee's characterisation of war opponents US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee holds a note from President Donald Trump to place in the Western Wall during a visit to the site in Jerusalem’s Old City, 18 April 2025 (Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP) Published date: 8 November 2026 13:24 GMT | Last update: 7 sec ago US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has drawn criticism after saying that critics of US war on Iran are "in spiritual darkness" and claiming that those who disagree with intervention have been blinded by Satan. Huckabee's comments were posted online over the weekend, attracting backlash from conservative commentators who called for him to be removed from his role as a diplomat. The comments were made during a live interview with Israeli commentator Amir Tsarfati on The Anchor Podcast. In the interview published on October 23 by Behold Israel, Tsarfati asked Huckabee to comment on the attitude of European governments towards US military action against Iran. He asked if there was a "mental issue" or a "spiritual issue." “I think it's a spiritual issue,” Huckabee replied. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters “I know it sounds a little funny for an ambassador to be talking like this, but look, I see this as spiritual darkness, spiritual blindness.” He continued: “Because Satan has blinded the minds of those and has captured their thinking.” “I really do believe that there is something deeper than just the obvious geopolitical issues at bay,” he added. 'Make a choice': Huckabee warns Gulf to choose between Iran and Israel Read More » In a conversation about how Iran is a threat to the US and Israel, Huckabee also castigated European governments for being sceptical of any US intervention. Andrew Day, a senior editor of The American Conservative, attacked Huckabee’s comments. He said it was inappropriate for a US ambassador to talk like that about those who are against the war. “I know it sounds a little funny for an ambassador to be talking like this,” Day wrote on X, quoting Huckabee before adding: “Yeah, it does!” Other social media users also called for Huckabee's removal from his diplomatic position. Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and evangelical Christian, has been a prominent supporter of Israel. The remarks come amid continuing debate in the United States over the war and its political consequences. Republican loss Iran's Armed Forces spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi said the Republican Party's losses in the US midterm elections reflected Washington's failure to defeat Iran. 'Freed up or congressionally constrained': Is Trump more or less likely to resume war on Iran? Read More » “The political and electoral developments in the United States, and the successive defeats of the Trump administration and its allies in various arenas, are less the result of superficial fluctuations in domestic politics than a reflection of a larger, undeniable reality: defeat in the face of a powerful Iran's will,” Shekarchi said, according to Iranian media. He said the United States was a victim of “strategic attrition”, domestic crises and battlefield defeats, adding that the setbacks had shaken the foundations of US power. “This strategic defeat stands as living proof of the fact that the global balance of power will never be shaped to the advantage of hegemonic powers,” he said. The remarks followed a major Republican setback in the midterm elections, in which Democrats won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. President Donald Trump acknowledged that the war with Iran had played a part in his party's losses, although he continued to defend his decision to launch the military campaign. Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.