A fight is breaking out inside American evangelical politics over whether pastors who travel to Israel are really doing religious work, and it is bad news for the pro-Israel wing of the church.

• Tucker Carlson is accusing high-profile American preachers of acting as political operatives for a foreign government rather than as missionaries.
• The core charge: these pastors tell their congregations that Jesus is the answer, then never preach that message on the streets of Tel Aviv.
• He frames Israel as a state hostile to Christianity, making the trips indefensible whether or not the pastors understand what they are doing.
• The attack lands on pastors who built large followings and fundraising networks around Holy Land tours and Israel advocacy.

Outlook: Expect louder public clashes between pro-Israel evangelical leaders and the growing nationalist-right faction questioning that alliance.