Israeli media reported on Sunday that right-wing circles in Washington are calling for the recall of US Ambassador to "Israel" Mike Huckabee, after revelations emerged about his secret meeting with a former American spy.

According to The New York Times, Huckabee met with Jonathan Pollard, the former US Navy analyst who spent 30 years in prison for spying for "Israel", inside the US embassy in occupied al-Quds in July 2025. The meeting was reportedly held off the official schedule and without the knowledge of senior officials, including the CIA director and White House personnel.

Backlash from the right

The report has triggered strong criticism from conservative figures in the US, particularly from those aligned with former President Donald Trump. Steve Bannon, former White House strategist and key figure in the MAGA movement, accused Huckabee of acting out of control and called for his immediate return to Washington.

Pollard stated that the meeting with Huckabee happened at his request, telling Israeli channel i24NEWS, “I had originally requested the interview for a very personal reason,” and adding, “I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for all the efforts that he had expended on my behalf when I was in prison." Huckabee had publicly supported Pollard’s release while seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2011.

The case of Jonathan Pollard

Pollard was convicted in 1987 and given a life sentence, the toughest penalty ever imposed for spying on behalf of a US ally, after passing highly classified American information to "Israel". He served 30 years before his 2015 parole and relocated to "Israel" in 2020.

His case strained US-"Israel" relations, with many in the American intelligence community still viewing it as one of the most serious compromises of classified material in US history.

According to the Times, the meeting “alarmed” the CIA and represented a departure from the long-standing avoidance of contact between US officials and convicted spies, and it remained unclear whether Huckabee sought approval from the administration, prompting concerns that the encounter might indicate a softer US approach toward espionage by allies.

Huckabee, a strong supporter of "Israel" and a political ally of Trump, has built close relationships with Israeli leaders as the administration expands its diplomatic and security cooperation.

Pollard described the meeting with Huckabee as “friendly.”