הצהרה לתקשורת עם שגריר ארצות הברית הנכנס, מייק האקבי

Your Excellency, Ambassador Huckabee, our dear friend. It is an enormous pleasure and honor for Michal and me to welcome you, and your dear wife, Janet, to the President’s Residence. In Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel and the Jewish people.

Before we start, I want to use this podium to share my deepest condolences with the Christian and Catholic world, and with the Christian and Catholic communities here in Israel and in the United States, for their great loss on the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. 

You and I are both people of faith And I know we share the deepest hope that his memory inspire acts of kindness and unity, dialogue between peoples, and hope for humanity.

We’re joined here today by some very good friends. First and foremost, Our dear friend, Dr. 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. And I want to thank you, Miriam, for your enormous contribution to the fight for our hostages, which, as we all know, is ongoing. 

You know, usually, when a new ambassador arrives, I say to him or her: Welcome to Israel. To you, I say: Welcome Home, Mike, dear brother of Israel.

You have been to Israel so many times. Like Abraham, our forefather, you have heeded the command to walk the Land from top to bottom. And you have introduced countless others to its physical and spiritual beauty.

This time your home-coming is different. This time, you are coming as the official ambassador of our most important ally and friend: the United States of America. This is such a natural movement. 

For years, and especially since October 7^th, you have been a leading voice of moral clarity and conscience. The Prophet Isaiah’s words – "For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet" – come naturally to mind. 

Your appointment as Ambassador 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 U.S.-Israel alliance. And for his vocal solidarity and commitment – as we fight to defend our people, and to bring each and every single one of our hostages home.

I know you, Mike, share both our heartbreak and our absolute resolve to see every last hostage freed from the Hamas dungeons and returned to their loved ones. Immediately. Every last one. I thank you for this allegiance of heart, and, no less, for your commitment to action. 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 God Himself. 

Ambassador Huckabee, Mike, my friend. You begin your new role at a decisive moment in the history of this region.  

On the one hand, the Abraham Accords, brokered by President Trump, have demonstrated the power of warm peace. They have shown what happens when nations turn their swords into plough-shares their conflict into cooperation, their distrust into dialogue. We can deepen this path. 

The psalmist, King David, wrote: “Seek peace, and pursue it.” We believe that these words of faith in peace, are not only a dream, but a demand upon us that we vow to realize it. 

But to expand peace, we must also soberly recognize the threats to peace. The Ayatollah regime in Tehran continues to pursue its radical vision of regional dominance and destabilization – on its own and via its proxies; whilst pursuing nuclear arms and openly calling for the destruction of Israel.

History has taught us that when a radical regime declares: “Death to Israel and Death to America!” we must take these threats seriously. And counter them with all of our determination, resolve and might. For the sake of the safety of our people. For the sake of peace. 

Mr. Ambassador, On Friday, Our nation was so moved to see you add your prayer to the prayers of so many over centuries at the Kotel, the Wailing 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’s Trump historic decision.

I look forward to personally working closely together with you to take the U.S.-Israel alliance to new heights. 

Friends, I want to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Stephanie Hallet, chargé d'affaires ad interim, and deputy chief of mission, for representing the United States of America so well, and for doing a great job for the last few years. Toda!

So, once again, Mike and Janet, Michal and I, And the entire Nation of Israel welcome you warmly to the land you love so dearly. May your term here offer you every opportunity to explore the length and breadth of this country and its beautiful tapestry of people. To add new layers  to your deep and vital connection to it. And to witness the realization of the prophetic visions before your very eyes. 

God bless you. God bless America. God bless Israel. Shalom. Thank you.  And ברוכים הבאים!