By: Fern Sidman

In a powerful and emotional tribute held on the occasion of Israel’s 77th Independence Day, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee was presented with United Hatzalah’s prestigious “Defender of Israel” Award during a special celebration hosted Wednesday evening at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem. VIN News reported that the ceremony, attended by over 400 guests, paid tribute to Huckabee’s unwavering support for the State of Israel and celebrated the heroic efforts of United Hatzalah’s 8,000+ volunteers.

Ambassador Huckabee, who was joined by his wife Janet Huckabee, delivered a stirring keynote address that emphasized Israel’s right to sovereignty and the sacredness of Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the Jewish people. “Tonight, we all come to celebrate that Israel has a right to exist in safety and freedom,” he declared. “It has a right to its sovereignty, it has a right to claim the indisputable, indivisible capital of Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish State, now and for eternity,” he added to a standing ovation, according to the information provided in the VIN News report.

The “Defender of Israel” Award was presented to Huckabee by Dr. Miriam Adelson and Pastor John Hagee, both prominent champions of Israel and staunch allies of the Jewish state on the global stage. As VIN News reported, their presence drew attention to the importance of the moment and the strength of Christian-Jewish solidarity in supporting Israel’s security and sovereignty.

In honor of Huckabee’s recent diplomatic appointment and to commemorate his steadfast advocacy, United Hatzalah board member Isy Danon also dedicated a newly donated Ambucycle in the ambassador’s name. Ambucycles—rapid-response motorcycles equipped with life-saving medical gear—are central to United Hatzalah’s emergency response model, which boasts an average response time of just 90 seconds across Israel.

While the atmosphere was one of unity and celebration, Ambassador Huckabee did not shy away from addressing the very real threats Israel continues to face. In a somber and direct warning, Huckabee pointed to the existential danger posed by Iran, particularly its ruling regime.

“Somewhere tonight in Tehran, the Supreme Leader is probably meeting with the key people around him, and they are discussing what they have been talking about for 46 years — and that’s how to murder everyone in Israel and all the people of Israel,” Huckabee stated. “They never changed their tune. They never said maybe we were wrong. While they’re speaking tonight about death, destruction, and darkness, we’re sitting here, and we’re talking about how to bring life.”

His remarks, reported by VIN News, struck a deep chord with the audience, reinforcing the critical mission of organizations like United Hatzalah, which operate on the front lines of saving lives in times of peace and war alike.

The event also marked the unveiling of a deeply moving new exhibit at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, titled “6:29: From Darkness to Light.” Curated under the direction of Sylvan Adams, President of the World Jewish Congress Israel Region and a trustee at the museum, the exhibit features firsthand testimonies from survivors of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.

Also honored that evening was Larry A. Mizel, chairman of the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, who received the United Hatzalah Jerusalem Award in recognition of his enduring support for emergency medical services and his dedication to the organization’s humanitarian mission.