Hikind, Huckabee Headed To The Holy Land

Tuesday, August 12th, 2008

Adam Dickter, Assistant Managing Editor

With speculation building about former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee running alongside John McCain, the former presidential contender is bound for Israel courtesy of Ateret Cohanim, a group that wants to increase Jewish presence in Jerusalem.

Huckabee was the keynote speaker at the June dinner of Ateret Cohanim, run by Shani Hikind, wife of Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind. Dov Hikind is accompanying Huckabee on the trip, along with Ateret Cohanim chairman Dr. Joseph D. Frager.

According to a Hikind press release Huckabee’s two-day whirlwind tour will include a stop in rocket-plagued Sderot, which has become de rigeur for visiting pols. They’ll also tour the Jewish quarter of the Old City, where Ateret Cohanim purchases formerly Jewish property from Arabs and others, and meet with Likud prime minister contender Binyamin Netanyahu.

Hikind, a Democrat who is supporting Republican McCain for president, said Huckabee’s commitment to Israel is “legendary,” citing the evangelical pastor’s nine previous trips to the Holy Land.