Thank you, Ambassador Huckabee

In a world where diplomatic appointments are often merely symbolic, Mike Huckabee’s service as the US Ambassador to Israel has been something entirely different: genuine, rooted in conviction, and an overwhelming sincere love for the Jewish state and its people.

I’ve known Mike Huckabee personally for over a decade. Our friendship has given me a front-row seat to witness his unwavering support for Israel—not as a political strategy, not as lip service for evangelical or pro-Israel audiences, but as a deeply personal commitment. In my experience, there is no one—Jewish or non-Jewish—who exhibits the same level of passion and advocacy for Israel as Ambassador Huckabee does. His dedication is not predicated on any political calculus. Nor does it oscillate. It is firmly who he is, and it has always been who he is.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel alongside Ambassador Huckabee. We visited historic sites across the country, including deeply spiritual places like Chevron. I will never forget watching his visceral emotional reaction as he stood at “Maarat HaMachpeila;” The Tomb of the Patriarchs—an expression of incredible awe and reverence that could not possibly be contrived or faked. You don’t forget moments like that. Seeing his face in those moments was to see a man whose love for this land is imprinted on his soul.

What has always struck me—both then and now—is not just his passion, but his humility. Despite his public persona, the titles he’s held, and his decades in the public spotlight, the Ambassador remains one of the most grounded and faith-driven individuals I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. I’ve worked with many lawmakers over the years—senators, governors, members of Congress—and it is rare to find someone so deeply authentic and guided by conviction. He’s not trying to impress. For Ambassador Huckabee, it truly is all about service.

That humility and conviction have shone through clearly during his time as Ambassador. Every time I speak to him or even catch a glimpse of him on the news, I’m reminded of how sincere his commitment truly is. Whether he’s visiting the Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva to boost the morale of frontline staff after Iran’s horrific missile attacks, or paying visits to devastated communities in the south, Ambassador Huckabee shows up—not just physically, but emotionally. These are not just photo-ops. They are moments of raw compassion.

In addition to his leadership and moral clarity, Ambassador Huckabee is also one of the most effective communicators I’ve ever seen. His ability to read from a prompter with natural ease is something I’ve seen in very few other public figures. I remember how quickly his weekend show on Fox News climbed to the top of the ratings charts—it was no accident.

He and I shared a mutual friend in the late Woody Fraser, a trailblazer in the television world. Woody, the creative force behind the Mike Douglas Show and many other iconic programs, used to tell me what remarkable talent he saw in then-Governor Huckabee, and how he pushed Roger Ailes to give him the show. I vividly recall stories Woody shared about drawing inspiration for the show’s format from his visits to Carolines on Broadway. The result was a program that felt fresh, personal, and engaging—an instant hit. And Huckabee’s star has only continued rising ever since.

It was this very same authentic commitment to Israel that the late Sheldon Adelson once shared with me he admired so deeply in Ambassador Huckabee as well. In a meeting with Sheldon years ago, I remember him telling me about how he had just been in Israel and, while walking out of the elevator at the King David Hotel, bumped into the Ambassador. “He has the courage of his convictions,” Sheldon said. And that’s the truth. Ambassador Huckabee’s support for Israel has never been about political expediency or personal advancement. It has always been about doing what he knows is right—something he feels with every fiber of his being.

I can’t wait to watch from afar as he continues making all of us in the pro-Israel community proud over these next few years. I can’t think of anyone I’d prefer leading the American Embassy in Israel during these historic but turbulent times. God bless President Trump for making such a wonderful choice in nominating Huckabee to serve as his Ambassador to Israel. And God bless you, Mr. Ambassador. There’s not another person on planet Earth who I could think of as being a more ideal fit for this job than you.