US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee issued a strong message of solidarity with Israel on Wednesday, on the even of Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day), the 58th anniversary of the reunification of the city in the 1967 Six-Day War.
In a video statement delivered with the Old City of Jerusalem in the background and a tweet, Huckabee emphasized the deep historical ties and unwavering US support for its ally. This is probably the first-ever greeting by a US ambassador to Israel celebrating this occasion, as the US has not recognized Israeli sovereignty on eastern Jerusalem, although it did move its embassy to the city and recognized it as Israel's capital during the first term of President Donald Trump.
Beginning this evening is Yom Yerushalayim - also known as Jerusalem Day. The United States is proud to join our close ally @Israel in celebrating the 58th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. @POTUS reaffirmed the historic connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem… pic.twitter.com/GqUXjOEe24
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@USAmbIsrael) May 25, 2025
"Greetings from Israel's eternal and undivided capital, the holy city of Jerusalem," Huckabee began his video. "Beginning this evening is Yom Yerushalayim, also known as Jerusalem Day."
In a corresponding tweet, Huckabee stated, "The United States is proud to join our close ally @Israel in celebrating the 58th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem."
Both his video and tweet highlighted the actions of Trump regarding Jerusalem. Huckabee, a devout Christian and the former governor of Arkansas, noted in his tweet that "@POTUS [referring to then-President Trump] reaffirmed the historic connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem that goes back over 3,500 years when he had the moral clarity to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's eternal capital and then move the US Embassy to Jerusalem."
In his video, Huckabee elaborated on this, stating, "After 2,000 years of exile, yearning and praying toward Jerusalem, God fulfilled the prayer 'next year in Jerusalem' by restoring the eternal capital of the Jewish people under Israeli sovereignty." He credited President Trump with having the "moral clarity to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's eternal capital and then moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem."
The former governor, visibly wearing a yellow ribbon often used to symbolize support for hostages, directly addressed the current conflict. "On this Jerusalem Day, as thousands of Israeli soldiers are away from their families courageously fighting terrorists in Gaza, and 58 hostages are still being held captive in the dungeons of Gaza, I want the people of Israel to know that America stands with you."
He continued with a powerful affirmation of the US-Israel bond: "Your fight is our fight. Your enemies are our enemies. Israel's victory is our victory. And together we will prevail, and we will pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
Huckabee concluded his video message by wishing, "Happy Jerusalem Day."
