New U.S. Ambassador to Israel Begins Term with Prayer at Western Wall Amid Gaza War
Mike Huckabee visits Jerusalem’s Western Wall to deliver Trump’s handwritten prayer, reinforcing U.S.-Israel ties as Gaza war continues.
Watan-The new U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, began his official duties on Friday by praying at the Buraq Wall (referred to by Israelis as the “Western Wall”) in occupied Jerusalem.
This comes as Israel continues its campaign of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza—now ongoing for over a year and a half with full U.S. support—as well as its escalating military and settler violence in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Huckabee is expected to present his credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday, according to a statement from Herzog’s office.
Huckabee Delivers Trump’s Prayer at Western Wall During Passover
Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas, told reporters at the Buraq Wall:“What a great honor it is for me to come here on behalf of President of the United States Donald Trump, to deliver a prayer he personally wrote by hand and gave me last Thursday at the White House.”
He continued:“I told him (Trump) that the first thing I would do as ambassador is to place his prayer for the peace of Jerusalem in the wall, and to pray for peace to prevail across the land.”
He added:“It is a great honor and joy to be able to do this during Passover,” referring to the Jewish holiday that began Sunday and lasts a week.
Israeli right-wing groups had called for mass incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the start of Passover.
Huckabee added:“I came with a prayer that all the (Israeli) captives held in Gaza return home now. We will bring them back—this is also President Trump’s prayer.”
On another note, Huckabee emphasized that Trump “was the only U.S. president to visit the Western Wall, and he did much to show his extraordinary love for the Jewish people and the State of Israel—including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, recognizing the Golan Heights, moving the U.S. embassy here, and many other acts of friendship and alliance.”
Huckabee said he came to Jerusalem on behalf of the American people, “praying not only for Passover wishes, but for eternal blessings,” in his words.
Huckabee Reaffirms Pro-Israel Stance, Backs West Bank Annexation
On December 6, 2017, during his first term, President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied Palestinian city.
Meanwhile, the “Rabbi of the Western Wall,” Shmuel Rabinowitz, welcomed Huckabee’s visit and thanked Trump for moving the embassy to Jerusalem.
According to the U.S. embassy’s website:“Throughout his career, Huckabee has maintained a strong pro-Israel stance based on his evangelical Christian beliefs, which include support for Israeli control over their historic homeland.”
It added that Huckabee “has led dozens of religious trips to Israel and has extensive knowledge of Israeli geography and politics.”
Huckabee is a vocal defender of Israel and a supporter of settlements in the occupied West Bank. He has previously said he rejects the use of the term “occupation” or “West Bank” and supports Israeli annexation of parts of the territory.
