JERUSALEM: The new United States (US) ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, prayed at the Western Wall on Friday, delivering a handwritten message from US President, Donald Trump, calling for peace.
Huckabee, a former Republican governor and vocal supporter of Israel, presented his diplomatic credentials a day earlier to President Isaac Herzog.
Speaking at the holy site, Huckabee said Trump gave him the note at the White House with instructions to deliver it personally.
“It was such an honour to place a prayer from President Trump, handwritten and initialled ‘D.T.’, asking ‘For Peace in Israel’,” Huckabee said, wearing a kippa.
He also offered his own prayer, calling for the return of hostages held in Gaza.
“We will bring them home,” he said.
The visit comes as the war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ October 7 assault on Israel, enters its 18th month.
Of the 251 people kidnapped, 58 remain in captivity, including 34 believed dead.
On Friday, Hamas rejected Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal, which included a 45-day truce, the release of 10 Israeli hostages, and humanitarian access to Gaza.
Chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, insisted on a broader agreement that includes a full withdrawal, complete prisoner exchange, and reconstruction of the enclave. – AFP
