Trump’s religious freedom ambassador nominee Mark Walker visits Israel

During a visit to Israel this week, International Religious Freedom ambassador Mark Walker said meeting hostages’ families and survivors of Hamas captivity left him “overwhelmed” and reaffirmed what he called the “spiritual and historical bond” between the United States and Israel.

Walker, a former Republican congressman and Baptist minister from North Carolina, was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the nation’s top global ambassador for religious freedom. He will officially assume the post once confirmed by the Senate, becoming the seventh American to hold the post since it was created by Congress in 1998.

He explained that his visit to Israel was due to both friendship and timing. “All of these landmark agreements are being made the week we are here,” Walker said. “The excitement was amazing to see, with banners hanging from buildings and parks thanking President Trump for his continued efforts and the strength he has shown to lead the region.” towards peace“

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Walker said he was particularly impressed by his conversations with hostage families.

“I was touched to spend some time with Keith Siegel, who endured 483 days of captivity and torture, and Ruby ChenWalker said his son Itay was killed by Hamas and his body has still not been returned. “Hearing the passion in Ruby’s voice, seeing her perseverance, is so moving. In America, we watch from afar. But being here, seeing how the community came together to stand up for these hostages (living or dead) touched me in a different way.”

He said the experience deepened his appreciation for Israel’s resilience. “The Israeli people stood resiliently in the face of evil,” he said. “Their faith and courage remind the world of what strength looks like.”

As U.S. officials visit Israel to monitor the fragile ceasefire, Walker said he remains confident in the administration’s leadership.

Ambassador-appointed Mark Walker for religious freedom with released hostage Keith Siegel and Rubi Chen, father of hostage Itay Chen. (Warren Cohn)

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“Me too No trust in Hamas “Based on their history,” he said. “But I have great confidence in President Trump and what he’s done. He is committed to peace and shows this through his actions; Vice President Vance is sending Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff here this week.”

He also praised the Minister of Foreign Affairs Marco Rubio to advance the administration’s diplomatic agenda. “This is not a photo opportunity,” Walker said. “This is a real plan for long-term stability.”

When asked how he views the importance of Israel, Walker reflected on his years in Congress.

“I think historically we have a long-standing relationship that supports each other in times of peril as well as times of success,” he said. “Military and trade relations, of course, but from a spiritual standpoint, America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles.”

He added: “When you sit in the House chamber where President Trump delivered his State of the Union address, there are the 22 or 23 philosophers — great men of genius — depicted above. But there is only one historical figure looking directly at the speaker’s podium, and that is Moses. That tells you a lot about the spiritual connection that binds our two countries.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Knesset as President Donald Trump and Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana watch on Monday, October 13, 2025, in Jerusalem, the Israeli parliament. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool via AP)

Asked about criticism from some in the evangelical community about his close alignment with Israel, Walker said he welcomed open debate but rejected efforts to undermine the partnership. “I have no problem with anyone questioning it; we should be able to defend these relationships,” he said. “But when you see some of the talk lately that is aimed at destroying that relationship, perhaps for the sake of personal gain or interest, I have a problem with that and I think it should be condemned.”

He added that such views are far from the mainstream. “The Evangelical communities that I am a part of (and I am a member of the largest Protestant organization in the United States) do not have these problems,” he said. “There may be some who are loosely affiliated and use this type of rhetoric, but the overwhelming majority of evangelicals in America applaud and encourage our relationship with Israel.”

Participants wave Israeli and U.S. flags during the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) summit in Arlington, Virginia, on July 17, 2023. The GOP’s 2024 presidential candidates are making their case before the pro-Israel group. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Regarding his new role, Walker said the role is deeply personal.

“When President Trump reached out to us and asked us to serve as ambassadors for International Religious Freedom — a global position — it was humbling,” he said. “The responsibility is to defend people of all faiths, especially where they are persecuted or punished by blasphemy laws.”

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Walker said he is already building relationships with governments and faith leaders to prepare for his official role advising both President Trump and Secretary Rubio.

“Our job is to address, expose and dismantle oppression, whether it is the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria, the targeting of Druze in Syria, or the increasing anti-Semitic behavior around the world,” he said. “The United States must remain the beacon of hope for religious freedom. We are the only country that has legalized it.”

He added that Israel’s example of tolerance stands out in the Middle East. “Christians should be able to live in peace and share their beliefs and worship without fear,” he said. “It makes sense for Israel to allow this in a region where others do not.”

US President Donald Trump signed the agreement regarding the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on October 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein (Reuters)

Walker said he plans to “push back persecution wherever it exists – whether through diplomacy or by calling on governments to repeal anti-blasphemy and anti-apostasy laws.”

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“President Trump is the only president in American history to call for a global conference on religious freedom at the United Nations,” Walker concluded. “This sent a message to the whole world that faith matters, freedom matters. What we see in Israel is that same spirit of courage and reminds us why this partnership, rooted in faith and freedom, must continue.”