US would not exist without Israel, ambassador Huckabee repeats claim
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has repeated his claim that the United States would not exist without Israel, defending remarks that previously drew attention and debate.
Speaking at a conference organised by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in West Jerusalem on 22 June, Huckabee said Western civilisation was founded on Jewish and Judeo-Christian principles.
"Without Israel, the United States would not exist," he said, adding: "Without that, there would be no United States. It's that simple." Huckabee acknowledged recent tensions in US-Israeli relations but argued that the relationship between the two countries remained enduring, describing it as an "unbreakable bond".
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee departs the White House after a meeting on Middle East peace talks in Washington, DC, 23 April 2026 (Mandel Ngan/AFP)
