BySHIR PERETS

The enemies that threaten Israel - like Iran - are also threats to the United States, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said at the Israel–US Relations Caucus in the Knesset on Wednesday.

“There are many countries with which we have alliances. But there is only one country in the world with which we have a true partnership unlike any other – and that is Israel,” he said.

The meeting took place just before the resumption of discussions between the US and Iran, scheduled for Thursday in Geneva.

In addition to Huckabee, the session was attended by members of the Ruderman Family Foundation, several Members of Knesset, and Orna and Ronen Neutra, the parents of murdered hostage Omer Neutra.

“The freedom you enjoy here, which is threatened daily by enemies like Iran, is also a threat to the United States. Many Americans don’t think about that, because Iran is thousands of miles away from them. But for 48 years, Iran has brought death to America, killed thousands of Americans, and is working to build a global nuclear threat,” Huckabee said.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee attends the lobby for Israel–United States relations at the Knesset, Israel's Parliament in Jerusalem, February 25, 2026.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee attends the lobby for Israel–United States relations at the Knesset, Israel's Parliament in Jerusalem, February 25, 2026. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

The caucus was formed to preserve connection between Israel, US, and American Jewry

The caucus, which was formed and has operated at the initiative of the Ruderman Family Foundation, came together this year to mark 250 years since the founding of the United States, and is built on the understanding that the connection between Israel, the US, and the American diaspora is not just about symbolism, but is a true long-term strategic interest for both countries.

“The effort to bring Omer home taught us that the struggle for Israel and for the hostages is also waged in Washington, and that American public opinion is a strategic arena,” Orna and Ronen Neutra stated.

“As the war went on, we saw cracks in support, especially among the younger generation in the United States, and that is something that must not be ignored. The bond between Israel and the US is not self-evident. If the younger generation there does not feel part of our story, it will not be merely a public diplomacy problem but a strategic challenge.”