US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivered a series of exceptionally sharp statements on Tuesday regarding Iran, Gaza, the state of support for Israel in the US, and Israel's relations with its neighbors, during an interview conducted at a conference hosted by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) that focused on US-Israel relations.
Addressing Iran and the possibility of another strike, Huckabee said he cannot determine what the American decision will be, since it is a policy decision to be made at the White House. However, he emphasized that the administration's position remains clear and unequivocal. "The president has said again and again that Iran will never enrich uranium and will not have nuclear weapons. He said this long before the war, and he has not changed this message after it."
According to him, it is possible that Iran only understood the seriousness of the message after the strike on Fordo. "I don't know if Iran ever took it seriously until the night the B-2 bombers flew to Fordo. I hope they got the message, but apparently they didn't get the full message, because it seems they're trying to dig deeper, to secure more."
Huckabee emphasized that this is a threat far broader than the Israeli arena. "It poses a threat, but not just to Israel and not just to the United States. It poses a real threat to all of Europe," he said, adding, "And if the Europeans don't understand that – then they're even more stupid than I sometimes think they are. And that's not a very diplomatic thing to say."
"Israel is just the appetizer"
The ambassador elaborated, noting that the Iranian threat to the United States is not new. "Since 1979, when the ayatollahs seized power, they have always said 'death to Israel, death to America' – in the same sentence. There has never been a separation. Israel is just the appetizer, because you're closer and you're an easier target."
The real target of Iran is Washington, according to the US ambassador. "The real main course, their ultimate goal, is to destroy the United States. If you want to destroy Western civilization and return the world to the seventh century – you can't do that without eliminating the United States."
Addressing Europe, Huckabee noted that he welcomes the restoration of some of the sanctions on Iran, but expressed doubt whether it is a sufficient step. According to him, any move that reduces Tehran's capabilities "might be able to choke some of Iran's ability to do what it's trying to do."
Huckabee summarized the issue by stating that the American president's position is clear. "It's not just about Israel. It's about the United States. And Iran has threatened America for 46 consecutive years."
"Social media is a sewer"
Addressing the state of support for Israel in the US, Huckabee expressed deep concern, especially about the discourse among young people. "A lot of young Americans get all their information from social media," he said, "and to be honest – social media is a sewer."
According to him, the implications are clear. "If you eat meals from the sewer, you'll get sick. And we have a lot of people eating straight from the sewer, and it's no wonder they're sick. And when I say 'sick' – I mean their brains are sick."
Huckabee attacked the perception that Israel is the aggressor. "Israel is a democracy. The only real democracy in this region. People elect their public officials, they can criticize them, there is freedom of speech and freedom of assembly – freedoms that don't exist anywhere else in the Middle East."
He also addressed the phenomenon of "LGBTQ for Palestine" shirts on campuses in the US. "I'm amused – and actually worried – when I see people walking around with such shirts. What would happen to them if they wore it in Gaza? Wear it there and see how long you'll live to tell about it."
According to him, the problem is not stupidity but ignorance. "Stupid is a person who has no operating system. Ignorance is a data problem. We didn't provide young people with the real data, and we assumed they would search on their own. But they don't."
Military advantage
Regarding the American commitment to Israel's qualitative military edge (QME), Huckabee said it is a legal and strategic principle. "The qualitative military edge is part of our law," he clarified. According to him, the aid is not one-sided. "Many Americans say 'look what we're doing for Israel.' And I say – not so much, if you look at what we're getting back."
He noted that all aid funds are invested in American industries, and emphasized Israel's contribution in developing weapons systems. "Israel tests the F-35 in combat in ways we can't. Billions of dollars of benefit in what makes this plane better – that's a gift to the United States."
Addressing Gaza, Huckabee said, "If you don't get rid of Hamas – how will Gaza be rebuilt? Who will want to invest there?" According to him, there is no gap between US and Israeli goals, and Hamas "must lay down its weapons and release all the hostages."
On Syria, Huckabee said its leadership understands that the path to long-term stability goes through peace with Israel. According to him, this is a distinct Syrian interest and not just an Israeli or American demand. "Ahmed al-Sharaa's (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani) path to survival depends on peace with Israel," he said, adding that this is not about expecting warm friendly relations, but an arrangement that will ensure security and stability. Huckabee emphasized that Israel is not seeking control or border expansion, but requests a quiet and secure border that will prevent the formation of a future threat from the east, similar to the events of October 7.
Regarding Lebanon, Huckabee noted that strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is a necessary process, but one that requires time and patience. According to him, the efforts exist, but are progressing more slowly than they would like to see in Washington and Jerusalem. "They need to walk before they can run," he said, and clarified that Israel cannot afford an early withdrawal or full transfer of security responsibility as long as Hezbollah continues to pose a significant threat, especially in light of Iran's attempts to rehabilitate and strengthen the organization.
Addressing the rise in antisemitism in the world, Huckabee said that the calls "from the river to the sea" are a call for the destruction of Israel. "Most of the people shouting this have no idea what they're saying," he said. "And if they do – it's even more worrying."
