The Eastern Mediterranean Regional Coordinator for the World Health Organization asked the new US Ambassador to pressure Israel to let humanitarian aid into Gaza. Huckabee made it clear who really must be pressured.
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee arrived early Monday at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, to hand Israeli President Isaac Herzog his letter of credence.
President Isaac Herzog welcomed the new Ambassador. President Herzog: “It is an enormous pleasure and honor for Michal and me to welcome you, our dear friend, and your wife to the President’s Residence, in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel and the Jewish People.”
“I want to share my deepest condolences with the Christian world, the Catholic world, and the Christian communities here in Israel, the Holy Land, and Catholics in the US, for their great loss on the passing of his holiness, Pope Francis.
“We are joined here today with some good friends of yours. One of them is our dear Miriam Adelson, who together with her beloved Sheldon, of blessed memory, and in her own right has been a great champion of this friendship between the US and Israel. I want to thank you Miriam for your enormous contribution to the fight for our hostages, which is ongoing.
“You know usually when a new ambassador arrives, I welcome him to Israel. To you Mike I say, “welcome home, dear Mike, dear brother of Israel.’ You have been to Israel so many times, like Abraham our forefather, you’ve headed the command to walk the land from top to bottom and you’ve introduced countless others to its physical and spiritual beauty. This time your homecoming is different. This time you’re coming as the official ambassador of our most important ally and friend, the United States of America.”
He added, “This is such a natural movement. For years, and especially since October 7th, you’ve been a natural voice of clarity and conscience. As prophet Isaiah said, “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet,” came naturally to mind.”
“Your appointment by President Trump to this critical post is a shining reflection of the president’s love, friendship and support for the state of Israel. We are deeply grateful for the historic steps he has taken to strengthen the iron clad US-Israel alliance and for his vocal solidarity and commitment as we fight to defend our people and to bring each and every one of our hostages back home. Nothing is more urgent and nothing warrants our attention more than ending this despicable and ongoing crime against humanity, against every legal and ethical norm, against G-d himself.”
“On Friday our nation was so moved to see you add your prayer to the prayers of so many over centuries at the Kotel (Western Wall) and nothing could be more fitting than your service as ambassador in this sacred city, now the home of the US Embassy, following President Trump’s historic decision.”
Huckabee said: “What an honor and incredible joy to be standing here. I thank my wife for being faithful for soon to be 51 years married. We got married when we were about 12 and in Arkansas that makes us late bloomers.”
“Over 50 years ago I came to Israel for the first time. I was amazed to be standing in the land of the Bible. Now I come back as an old man, but with a sense of joy and awe that I am in the land that God said, “this is mine and these are my people.” I came here because I believe that this not just geopolitical, because I also love to see it through the eyes of people who come here for the first time.
“I am not here as a visitor but for the next four years. Janet and I have deep gratitude that we have been given this opportunity.
“I was honored that President Trump assigned this to me, but I feel that this is a calling from G-d, to serve in this country, where Israeli people can go to bed at night and not fear that some harm is coming their way.” Huckabee noted, “There are challenges, and I share that the Iranian regime and the hostility that has been inflicted on the world for years, is facing not only on Israel but also the US. We share that we have a common foundation.”
“We hope to always be a good friend to Israel and apply assistance where we can. We share intelligence and technology, agricultural innovation, where Israel is a world leader.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for your hospitality. Hearing the US national anthem here today proves again the deep connection between our two countries.”
