The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) enthusiastically endorses the nomination of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel. As a pro-Israeli-American organization, ICAN brings together Israeli immigrants to the U.S. and pro-Israel Americans from all backgrounds, working together to build a better America, a more secure Israel, and a stronger U.S.-Israel alliance.
While Israel faces historic challenges and opportunities, Ambassador-Designate Huckabee’s leadership will help to advance U.S.-Israel cooperation and ensure the security and prosperity of both nations.
A Lifelong Commitment to Israel
Ambassador-Designate Huckabee’s unparalleled connection to Israel spans over five decades, during which he has visited the country over 100 times. His first visit in 1973, shortly after graduating high school, sparked a lifelong dedication to strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Since the 1980s, he has led countless tours to Israel, sharing the country’s history, culture, and significance with thousands of Americans.
While serving as Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007, Ambassador-Designate Huckabee based his advocacy for Israel on his personal values and public support for the U.S.-Israel partnership. His efforts reflected a deep understanding of Israel’s importance as a strategic ally and his unwavering belief in its role as a beacon of democracy in the Middle East.
This lifelong commitment, grounded in faith, diplomacy, and leadership, makes Ambassador-Designate Huckabee uniquely qualified to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. His experiences and advocacy position him to further deepen the bonds between the two nations and promote a shared vision of security, prosperity, and peace.
A Defining Moment for U.S.-Israel Security and Regional Stability
The gravity of recent events underscores the critical importance of this nomination. The genocidal attacks of October 7, 2023, carried out by the Hamas terrorist organization against innocent Israeli civilians, marked one of the darkest days in Israel’s history.
These atrocities were compounded by Hezbollah’s assaults on Israel’s northern border, sustained drone and missile strikes originating from Yemen, and direct ballistic missile attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran. In response, Israel has undertaken decisive actions, including the elimination of key terrorist leaders such as Yahya Sinwar, Hassan Nasrallah, and Ismail Haniyeh, nearly eliminating the operational capabilities of these hostile organizations.
These developments present a unique and historic opportunity to advance regional peace and stability. Ambassador-Designate Huckabee’s unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself, combined with his deep understanding of the region’s complexities, makes him the ideal envoy to embody and advance America’s steadfast partnership with Israel during these tumultuous times.
The potential expansion of the Abraham Accords, including Saudi Arabia’s possible normalization with Israel, presents an extraordinary opportunity to reshape the region’s geopolitical landscape. As Ambassador, Ambassador-Designate Huckabee will be uniquely positioned to champion this historic diplomatic initiative, fostering peace, economic collaboration, and mutual understanding.
Critical Priorities for U.S.-Israel Relations
The following are critical areas of concern shared by ICAN and the communities we represent, which we urge Ambassador-Designate Huckabee to prioritize during his confirmation hearings and throughout his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Israel:
Strengthening Israel’s Security Amid Regional Instability:
- Bolstering defense and intelligence cooperation to address any remaining threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, and other regional adversaries.
- Confronting the existential threat posed by a nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran through enhanced sanctions, coordinated international pressure, and other deterrence measures.
- Expanding U.S. assistance and joint cooperation to advance Israel’s missile defense systems, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, and strengthening counterterrorism capabilities.
Deepening and Expanding the Abraham Accords:
- Accelerating efforts to integrate Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords framework, fostering regional normalization, economic growth, and enhanced diplomatic collaboration.
- Promoting multilateral security initiatives to build trust and cooperation among Israel and its Arab neighbors, solidifying a united front against shared threats.
Combating Global Antisemitism and Extremism:
- Addressing the alarming rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment globally and domestically, with a focus on implementing robust educational, legislative, and policy initiatives.
- Exposing and dismantling extremist narratives that perpetuate hatred and violence against Jewish and Israeli communities, while promoting mutual respect and understanding.
Ambassador-Designate Huckabee’s confirmation process is an opportunity to reaffirm America’s steadfast commitment to these objectives and to chart a fresh path forward following the events of October 7th. ICAN is confident that his leadership will strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, advance regional peace, and address the existential threats Israel faces. We are committed to supporting his efforts and partnering on initiatives that ensure a more secure and prosperous future for both nations.
ICAN encourages U.S. Senators, community leaders, and all those committed to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship to recognize the importance of this nomination and to support a timely and thoughtful confirmation process, ensuring that America has the leadership needed to strengthen its relationship with Israel during this historic time.
What It Means to Be Pro-Israeli-American
At ICAN, being pro-Israeli-American means uniting Israeli-American immigrants and pro-Israel Americans into a cohesive, action-oriented coalition that strengthens the U.S.-Israel alliance while addressing domestic challenges that both communities face, like hate and antisemitism. It is an advocacy model rooted in shared values of democracy, innovation, and security, reflecting the unique role Israeli-Americans play as a bridge between two vibrant democracies. Pro-Israeli-American advocacy recognizes that the future stability and strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship depends on:
- Building bipartisan support for policies that strengthen mutual security and economic prosperity.
- Promoting the value of initiatives like the Abraham Accords, which exemplify the power of regional cooperation and diplomacy.
- Combating antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment through people-to-people, Israeli-American immigrant, and pro-Israel American cooperation.
This approach is dynamic, inclusive, and forward-looking, ensuring that our communities have a powerful and unified voice in shaping policies that benefit both nations.
The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) is the only organization that brings together Israeli and American activists to create change for a better America, a more secure Israel, and a stronger U.S.-Israel alliance.
ICAN works with community leaders, public officials, and grassroots organizations to strengthen the bond between the United States and Israel at all levels of government through civic education, advocacy, and public engagement. It also promotes policies that support the Israeli-American community and foster mutual understanding. With a focus on policy leadership and strategic engagement, ICAN is committed to empowering Israeli-American activists and pro-Israel Americans to take an active role in shaping public policy.
Learn more about the Israeli-American Civic Action Network at IsraelUSA.org.