President Herzog to new U.S. Ambassador Huckabee: “We share 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.”
U.S. Ambassador Huckabee: “We care deeply, Mr. President, about the threats that face Israel, because those are also the threats that face our country. I never want Americans to think that we Americans are not greatly benefited by our partnership with our ally Israel. We benefit dramatically in the sharing of intelligence, the sharing of technology, and the sharing of agricultural innovation, in which Israel has led the world.”
New U.S. Ambassador Huckabee concluded a full program of diplomatic meetings at the President’s Residence, during which the new ambassadors of India, Canada, Belarus, the Dominican Republic, and Angola also submitted their diplomatic credentials.
President Isaac Herzog today, Monday, received the diplomatic credentials of seven new ambassadors to Israel from Belarus, India, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Angola, and the United States.
Speaking alongside new U.S. Ambassador Huckabee, President Herzog began by expressing his condolences to Christian communities
around the world following the passing of Pope Francis: “I share my deepest condolences with the Christian world, and with the Christian communities here in Israel and in the United States, for their great loss on the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.”
The President stressed: “For years, and especially since October 7th, you have been a leading voice of moral clarity and conscience,” and added, “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 ironclad U.S.–Israel alliance — and for his vocal solidarity and commitment as we fight to defend our people and bring each and every 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.”
The President noted: “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 ploughshares, their conflict into cooperation, their distrust into dialogue.
We can deepen this path. We believe that these words of faith in peace are not only a dream but a demand upon us — a vow to realize it. But to expand peace, we must also soberly recognize the threats to peace.”
He stressed: “The Ayatollah regime in Iran continues to pursue its radical vision of regional dominance and destabilization – on its own and via its proxies – while 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.”
He concluded: “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. God bless you. God bless America. God bless Israel.”
Ambassador Huckabee thanked the President for his welcome and said: “I come to stand together with the State of Israel and the Jewish people, because I believe that it is not simply a geopolitical position, but a divine position.”
He added: “I stand here today fighting back tears because I am here, not just as a visitor, but now, for the next few years, this will be my home. Janet and I come with an extraordinary sense of awe and wonder
and deep gratitude to President Trump for giving us this extraordinary privilege.”
The Ambassador stressed: “I am here with the mission to stand with the people of Israel for peace and prosperity — to serve in a role that I pray will see times when the Israeli people can go to bed at night, not fearing that a siren will awaken them and force them into a shelter because enemies are irrationally dedicated to destroying them. I long for the day when that young Israeli mother puts her babies to bed at night and does not fear that some harm will come upon them as they sleep — but that they will rest with peace, and continue to live with the extraordinary resilience of the Israeli people, which I’ve come to admire as second to none.
Over these coming months, I pray that one thing we will see — and see it very soon — as you’ve so eloquently said, Mr. President: that every hostage returns home to their family. Every hostage. Those who are alive and those deceased, but whose remains are a reminder of the dignity that they deserve — to have a proper burial here in their home.”
“There are challenges, and I share with you that concern that the Iranian regime and all of its hostility, which has been inflicted upon the world for 46 years, continues to threaten not just the peace of Israel, but the peace of the United States. And I constantly remind people that the Iranians have always said ‘Death to Israel’, and chapter two is ‘Death to America’. It has always been their desire that Israel would be the opening act, and then it would be America's turn to face destruction.”
He stressed: “We care deeply, Mr. President, about the threats that face Israel, because those are also the threats that face our country. And I always want to remind my American colleagues that we stand with Israel, first of all, because we share the values of the Bible. We share the understanding that the Judeo-Christian foundation is the foundation of all Western civilization. Without it, there is no sense of democracy, and love, appreciation, and respect for the individual. But it's also important that Americans know that while we hope to be a good friend to Israel and to provide assistance where we can, I never want Americans to think that we Americans are not greatly benefited by our partnership with our ally Israel. We benefit dramatically in the sharing of intelligence, the sharing of technology, and the sharing of agricultural innovation, in which Israel has led the world.”
He concluded: “On behalf of the President and the American people, I thank you for your hospitality, and I welcome the opportunity to serve my President and my country in partnership toward the peace that you truly and most deservedly should have. Thank you, Mr. President.”
Earlier, the President received the diplomatic credentials of the Ambassador of Belarus, Yury Yaroshevich; Ambassador of India, Jitender Pal Singh; Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, Olivio A. Fermin; Ambassador of Canada, Leslie Scanlon; Ambassador of the Philippines, Aileen S. Mendiola-Rau; and Ambassador of Angola, Nelson Manuel Cosme.
Speaking to the Ambassador of India, the President said: “Returning the hostages is our highest priority. We want to see all the
hostages back home — every last one of them. They are going through hell, and we are very worried. I would add that it requires an enormous international effort, and I also want to thank your government, your Prime Minister, for standing with Israel since October 7.
Our governments enjoy strong relations, and we have to work together on the geostrategic issues: getting the hostages back home, preventing Iran from spreading terror, and moving toward peace, inclusion, and connectivity — and of course, enhancing the incredible relations between our peoples.”
Welcoming the Ambassador of Canada, the President noted the close friendship between the two nations. The Ambassador and the President spoke about the contribution and the importance of the well-being of the Jewish community in Canada. The President thanked the Ambassador for her words reiterating the call for the immediate release of the hostages held in Gaza.
Speaking with the Ambassador of the Philippines, the President expressed his condolences to the large Catholic community in the Philippines on the passing of the Pope. The President thanked the Ambassador for her country’s strong support for Israel, and they spoke about opportunities to deepen and expand the economic and cultural relationship between the two countries.
Welcoming the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic the President spoke of his pride that so many students from his country had come to Israel through the Mashav program, and of the importance of cooperation in the fields of water and agricultural technologies.
The President spoke with the Ambassador of Belarus about the rich Jewish history in the country, which was the birthplace of many great Jewish and Zionist leaders.
Welcoming the Ambassador of Angola, the President spoke of the important cooperation between the countries in developing water and agriculture technologies among other areas of cooperation.
Throughout each of his meetings, President Herzog stressed the supreme importance of bringing the hostages home.
Photo credits: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)
