In a high-energy episode of Stakelbeck Tonight, host Erick Stakelbeck interviews U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee about the escalating tensions with Iran, the United States' role in the Middle East, and the deep-rooted relationship between the U.S. and Israel. As they delve into the complexities of international diplomacy and the threats posed by Iran and Hamas, they shed light on the critical importance of standing with Israel and recognizing the spiritual and strategic significance of the region. The episode culminates in a reflection on the blessings that emanate from the land of Israel to the entire world.
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Stakelbeck Tonight | Erick Stakelbeck: February 5, 2026 | Stakelbeck Tonight | February 5, 2026
- Welcome to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:00:17.774 --> 00:00:19.509
- I'm erick stakelbeck.
- 00:00:19.509 --> 00:00:20.743
- And if you think iran's regime is not a threat for americans
- 00:00:20.743 --> 00:00:25.915
- To be concerned with that, it's just israel's problem.
- 00:00:25.915 --> 00:00:29.018
- Think again.
- 00:00:29.352 --> 00:00:30.453
- Over the past few decades,
- 00:00:30.453 --> 00:00:31.654
- The regime has orchestrated the murder of hundreds.
- 00:00:31.654 --> 00:00:34.390
- If not thousands of u.s. soldiers in iraq.
- 00:00:34.390 --> 00:00:37.327
- It's also worked on developing intercontinental ballistic
- 00:00:37.327 --> 00:00:40.463
- Missiles, icbms that could one day reach the united states.
- 00:00:40.463 --> 00:00:45.602
- And until president trump gave the order to destroy iran's
- 00:00:45.602 --> 00:00:49.272
- Nuclear program last june,
- 00:00:49.272 --> 00:00:51.141
- The ayatollahs were closing in on acquiring the bomb.
- 00:00:51.141 --> 00:00:54.777
- President trump is the first commander in chief
- 00:00:54.777 --> 00:00:57.480
- To truly hold the iranian regime accountable.
- 00:00:57.480 --> 00:01:00.550
- That's why they've hatched at least
- 00:01:00.550 --> 00:01:02.118
- Two assassination plot against him in recent years.
- 00:01:02.118 --> 00:01:06.089
- Folks, what i just laid out is a very short list of
- 00:01:06.089 --> 00:01:09.626
- Iranian government's
- 00:01:09.626 --> 00:01:10.760
- Jihad against the united states over the past 47 years.
- 00:01:10.760 --> 00:01:14.731
- The mullahs
- 00:01:14.731 --> 00:01:15.932
- Have practically copyrighted the phrase death to america.
- 00:01:15.932 --> 00:01:19.502
- Remember, we are the great satan in their view.
- 00:01:19.502 --> 00:01:23.673
- Secretary of state marco rubio
- 00:01:23.673 --> 00:01:25.375
- Gave a great breakdown of what really motivates this regime.
- 00:01:25.375 --> 00:01:29.379
- Earlier this week.
- 00:01:29.379 --> 00:01:30.613
- Watch this.
- 00:01:30.613 --> 00:01:31.848
- Ultimately, on radical islamic movements in the world, identify
- 00:01:31.848 --> 00:01:35.351
- The west writ large,
- 00:01:35.351 --> 00:01:36.553
- But the united states in particular,
- 00:01:36.553 --> 00:01:38.454
- As the greatest evil on the earth,
- 00:01:38.454 --> 00:01:40.223
- And every chance to have the notion
- 00:01:40.223 --> 00:01:42.158
- That somehow radical islam would be comfortable
- 00:01:42.158 --> 00:01:44.227
- With simply controlling some province in iraq or syria.
- 00:01:44.227 --> 00:01:47.730
- It's just not borne out by history.
- 00:01:47.730 --> 00:01:49.732
- Radical islam has shown that their desire is not simply to
- 00:01:49.732 --> 00:01:53.269
- Occupy one part of the world
- 00:01:53.269 --> 00:01:54.871
- And be happy with their own little caliphate.
- 00:01:54.871 --> 00:01:56.839
- They want to expand.
- 00:01:56.839 --> 00:01:57.840
- It is it is a it's revolutionary in its nature.
- 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:00.610
- It seeks to expand and control
- 00:02:00.610 --> 00:02:02.145
- More territories and more people.
- 00:02:02.145 --> 00:02:03.947
- And radical islam has designs openly on the west,
- 00:02:03.947 --> 00:02:07.650
- On the united states, on europe.
- 00:02:07.650 --> 00:02:09.152
- We've seen that progress there as well.
- 00:02:09.152 --> 00:02:11.120
- And they're prepared to conduct acts of terrorism
- 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:14.190
- In the case of iran, nation state actions,
- 00:02:14.190 --> 00:02:16.626
- Assassinations, murders, you name it,
- 00:02:16.626 --> 00:02:18.361
- Whatever it takes for them to gain their influence
- 00:02:18.361 --> 00:02:21.631
- And ultimately their domination
- 00:02:21.631 --> 00:02:22.966
- Of different cultures and societies.
- 00:02:22.966 --> 00:02:24.601
- That's a clear and imminent threat to the world
- 00:02:24.601 --> 00:02:26.769
- And to the broader west,
- 00:02:26.769 --> 00:02:28.004
- But especially to the united states,
- 00:02:28.004 --> 00:02:29.372
- Who they identify as the chief source of evil on the planet.
- 00:02:29.372 --> 00:02:34.377
- Exactly.
- 00:02:34.644 --> 00:02:35.745
- It's the first rule of war.
- 00:02:35.745 --> 00:02:37.714
- Know your enemy.
- 00:02:37.714 --> 00:02:39.349
- And secretary rubio nails it.
- 00:02:39.349 --> 00:02:41.251
- Now talks between the u.s.
- 00:02:41.251 --> 00:02:43.119
- And iran are scheduled for tomorrow in oman.
- 00:02:43.119 --> 00:02:46.289
- In the meantime, israel's security cabinet met today.
- 00:02:46.289 --> 00:02:49.892
- So things are coming to a head.
- 00:02:49.892 --> 00:02:52.662
- And the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism,
- 00:02:52.662 --> 00:02:55.598
- Which spent the last few weeks slaughtering
- 00:02:55.598 --> 00:02:58.334
- Tens of thousands of its own people,
- 00:02:58.334 --> 00:03:00.737
- Is teetering on the brink of collapse.
- 00:03:00.737 --> 00:03:03.573
- Joining us now
- 00:03:03.573 --> 00:03:04.774
- From jerusalem to break down the state of play with iran
- 00:03:04.774 --> 00:03:07.277
- And all the latest developments out of israel
- 00:03:07.277 --> 00:03:09.445
- And the middle east and why they matter to you
- 00:03:09.445 --> 00:03:12.148
- Is our good friend, the u.s.
- 00:03:12.148 --> 00:03:13.483
- Ambassador to israel, mike huckabee.
- 00:03:13.483 --> 00:03:16.019
- Ambassador huckabee, always great to see you.
- 00:03:16.019 --> 00:03:18.087
- Thanks for joining us.
- 00:03:18.087 --> 00:03:19.589
- I think a great place to start is these talks tomorrow.
- 00:03:19.589 --> 00:03:22.925
- What would a good deal look like for the united states
- 00:03:22.925 --> 00:03:26.963
- And for the free world?
- 00:03:26.963 --> 00:03:28.264
- Of course, iran's nuclear program,
- 00:03:28.264 --> 00:03:30.900
- Sponsorship of terror proxies, its ballistic missile program.
- 00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:34.804
- How could this deal
- 00:03:34.804 --> 00:03:35.805
- Turn out to be a good thing
- 00:03:35.805 --> 00:03:37.006
- If a deal is even possible with this regime,
- 00:03:37.006 --> 00:03:39.642
- What could a good deal look like for america
- 00:03:39.642 --> 00:03:42.345
- And the free world?
- 00:03:42.345 --> 00:03:43.379
- Well, eric, a really, really good deal would be that
- 00:03:44.414 --> 00:03:46.883
- The ayatollah would decide that it's time for him to retire
- 00:03:46.883 --> 00:03:50.787
- New leadership in iran.
- 00:03:50.787 --> 00:03:52.021
- They're not going to murder their own people anymore.
- 00:03:52.021 --> 00:03:54.090
- They're going to give up
- 00:03:54.090 --> 00:03:55.224
- All of their nuclear aspirations and enriched uranium.
- 00:03:55.224 --> 00:03:57.960
- The president has continually told them they must do,
- 00:03:57.960 --> 00:04:00.897
- And that they would in their stockpile of ballistic missiles.
- 00:04:00.897 --> 00:04:04.634
- I was so grateful for what you said earlier.
- 00:04:04.634 --> 00:04:06.602
- And you've been following this for many years.
- 00:04:06.602 --> 00:04:08.371
- You know it as well as anybody in the media, and that is that
- 00:04:08.371 --> 00:04:11.974
- Iran has not simply got its
- 00:04:11.974 --> 00:04:15.211
- Crosshairs focused on israel.
- 00:04:15.211 --> 00:04:17.647
- It's always been that america was the ultimate target.
- 00:04:17.647 --> 00:04:20.917
- Quite frankly, israel is just an order of
- 00:04:20.917 --> 00:04:23.853
- The united states is the ribeye that they're waiting for.
- 00:04:23.853 --> 00:04:27.123
- And if anybody doubts
- 00:04:27.123 --> 00:04:28.324
- That they have not been
- 00:04:28.324 --> 00:04:29.492
- Following this over the past 47 years.
- 00:04:29.492 --> 00:04:31.928
- Yeah, that red line that president trump drew,
- 00:04:31.928 --> 00:04:34.630
- By the way,
- 00:04:34.630 --> 00:04:35.832
- Ambassador look, basically saying to the iranian regime,
- 00:04:35.832 --> 00:04:37.734
- If you slaughter your own people,
- 00:04:37.734 --> 00:04:39.335
- You will pay consequences.
- 00:04:39.335 --> 00:04:41.104
- President trump is a man who keeps his red lines.
- 00:04:41.104 --> 00:04:43.906
- That's his m.o..
- 00:04:43.906 --> 00:04:45.241
- So if
- 00:04:45.241 --> 00:04:46.442
- Iran walks away from the table or does not agree to terms,
- 00:04:46.442 --> 00:04:50.046
- Could we expect perhaps a
- 00:04:50.046 --> 00:04:51.514
- More forceful action against the regime in the days to come?
- 00:04:51.514 --> 00:04:56.753
- I think
- 00:04:56.986 --> 00:04:58.020
- It's pretty fair to say that the military assets
- 00:04:58.020 --> 00:05:00.289
- That the president has ordered toward the mediterranean,
- 00:05:00.289 --> 00:05:03.493
- Are not there just for decoration.
- 00:05:03.493 --> 00:05:07.063
- Would we like to avoid a kinetic war?
- 00:05:07.063 --> 00:05:09.332
- Of course we would.
- 00:05:09.332 --> 00:05:10.266
- You know, i would really like to avoid me,
- 00:05:10.266 --> 00:05:13.202
- Because if we have one, i'm
- 00:05:13.202 --> 00:05:14.370
- Going to be right in the dead center of it as well.
- 00:05:14.370 --> 00:05:16.773
- 700,000 americans who are living in israel
- 00:05:16.773 --> 00:05:19.742
- And 10 million people
- 00:05:19.742 --> 00:05:20.943
- Who live in this country, a tiny little
- 00:05:20.943 --> 00:05:22.645
- Sliver of real estate that's, a fairly open target.
- 00:05:22.645 --> 00:05:26.649
- Now, thank god the, people of israel
- 00:05:26.649 --> 00:05:28.851
- Have an extraordinary missile intercept system.
- 00:05:28.851 --> 00:05:31.854
- But there's nothing that is perfect,
- 00:05:31.854 --> 00:05:33.790
- And there could be significant civilian casualties.
- 00:05:33.790 --> 00:05:37.160
- So do we want a peaceful solution?
- 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:39.295
- Absolutely.
- 00:05:39.295 --> 00:05:40.296
- Does the president want a peaceful solution?
- 00:05:40.296 --> 00:05:42.398
- He always has.
- 00:05:42.398 --> 00:05:43.933
- But he's not a trump.
- 00:05:43.933 --> 00:05:45.601
- And there's a difference between being a trump
- 00:05:45.601 --> 00:05:49.038
- And being a trump.
- 00:05:49.038 --> 00:05:50.807
- He is a trump.
- 00:05:50.807 --> 00:05:51.941
- And if people follow what he has done
- 00:05:51.941 --> 00:05:54.377
- Both his first and second term,
- 00:05:54.377 --> 00:05:55.878
- They realized this isn't a guy that you play games with.
- 00:05:55.878 --> 00:05:59.315
- But he's also a person that
- 00:05:59.916 --> 00:06:01.317
- Would always want to bring things to a peaceful resolution
- 00:06:01.317 --> 00:06:05.421
- Rather than to have to engage in combat.
- 00:06:05.421 --> 00:06:07.957
- Yeah. ambassador. so. well said.
- 00:06:07.957 --> 00:06:09.759
- And this is the one moment, i think, in the past nearly
- 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:13.029
- A half century since his wicked regime came to power in tehran,
- 00:06:13.029 --> 00:06:16.699
- That they finally met their match in president trump
- 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:20.269
- And then some, needless to say.
- 00:06:20.269 --> 00:06:22.138
- Hey, you mentioned the potential blowback for israel.
- 00:06:22.138 --> 00:06:24.540
- You were there,
- 00:06:24.540 --> 00:06:25.541
- Of course, on the ground during the 12 day war.
- 00:06:25.541 --> 00:06:27.376
- During that conflict, ambassador israel in the u.s.
- 00:06:27.376 --> 00:06:30.713
- Had such great cooperation.
- 00:06:30.713 --> 00:06:32.682
- Can you talk a bit more?
- 00:06:32.682 --> 00:06:33.883
- We saw israel security cabinet meeting today in jerusalem.
- 00:06:33.883 --> 00:06:36.285
- Can you talk a bit more about that synergy between israel
- 00:06:36.285 --> 00:06:40.056
- And the united states under president trump
- 00:06:40.056 --> 00:06:42.325
- In dealing with this iran threat,
- 00:06:42.325 --> 00:06:43.960
- Which is really a global threat, not just a regional threat?
- 00:06:43.960 --> 00:06:47.363
- It's so true.
- 00:06:47.730 --> 00:06:48.931
- And most americans never think about this as a global threat.
- 00:06:48.931 --> 00:06:51.601
- Do you think that's a middle east problem?
- 00:06:51.601 --> 00:06:53.169
- That's an israeli problem.
- 00:06:53.169 --> 00:06:54.604
- I would say to you very emphatically
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- That, as you've just said, this is a global threat.
- 00:06:57.206 --> 00:07:00.076
- Let me give you a couple of examples.
- 00:07:00.076 --> 00:07:01.777
- The three big proxies of iran, hamas,
- 00:07:01.777 --> 00:07:04.914
- Hezbollah and the hutus, they're spread out.
- 00:07:04.914 --> 00:07:08.417
- Hezbollah has significant presence in 12
- 00:07:08.417 --> 00:07:12.421
- Central and south american countries.
- 00:07:12.421 --> 00:07:14.524
- They have a large presence in venezuela.
- 00:07:14.524 --> 00:07:16.726
- Why don't you think they're in the western hemisphere?
- 00:07:16.726 --> 00:07:18.961
- Do you think it's only because they're, not reading the maps?
- 00:07:18.961 --> 00:07:22.365
- Right?
- 00:07:22.365 --> 00:07:23.232
- They got lost on their way to israel.
- 00:07:23.232 --> 00:07:24.734
- Now, that was moses
- 00:07:24.734 --> 00:07:25.768
- And the children of israel coming out of egypt.
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- It took them 40 years to figure it out.
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- That's not what's going on.
- 00:07:29.972 --> 00:07:31.374
- Hezbollah is in these 12 countries
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- Because they are a global menace.
- 00:07:33.276 --> 00:07:35.545
- And here's what we really don't know.
- 00:07:35.545 --> 00:07:37.647
- How many of the millions
- 00:07:37.647 --> 00:07:39.048
- Of illegals who slipped across the border
- 00:07:39.048 --> 00:07:41.183
- Without us having any idea of who they were?
- 00:07:41.183 --> 00:07:44.587
- How many of them are sleeper cells
- 00:07:44.587 --> 00:07:46.956
- Living in the united states?
- 00:07:46.956 --> 00:07:48.691
- Patiently waiting for the order to come from tehran to rise
- 00:07:48.691 --> 00:07:52.261
- Up and commit brutal,
- 00:07:52.261 --> 00:07:53.829
- Sadistic terrorist attacks on americans.
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- And as you pointed out,
- 00:07:58.534 --> 00:08:00.002
- It wouldn't be the first time that americans
- 00:08:00.002 --> 00:08:01.737
- Have been killed by iran or its proxies.
- 00:08:01.737 --> 00:08:04.907
- It's happened now over 47 years, and
- 00:08:04.907 --> 00:08:08.911
- They've always targeted this.
- 00:08:08.911 --> 00:08:11.113
- When someone tells you
- 00:08:11.113 --> 00:08:12.214
- For this length of time that they want to kill you,
- 00:08:12.214 --> 00:08:15.117
- You'd be really stupid not to pay attention.
- 00:08:15.117 --> 00:08:17.286
- Yeah. ambassador.
- 00:08:17.286 --> 00:08:18.154
- Well said.
- 00:08:18.154 --> 00:08:19.155
- As always, folks, more with our good friend,
- 00:08:19.155 --> 00:08:20.923
- Ambassador mike huckabee after the break, by the way.
- 00:08:20.923 --> 00:08:23.159
- Be sure to follow the ambassador on and across social media.
- 00:08:23.159 --> 00:08:26.095
- Coming up, the trump effect in the middle east
- 00:08:26.095 --> 00:08:29.732
- And around the world, it's very real.
- 00:08:29.732 --> 00:08:31.601
- We will break it down with the ambassador after the break.
- 00:08:31.601 --> 00:08:34.437
- Don't move.
- 00:08:34.437 --> 00:08:37.004
- Don't move.
- 00:08:37.004 --> 00:08:40.008
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight
- 00:08:40.742 --> 00:08:42.344
- We are talking to america's top diplomat in israel,
- 00:08:42.344 --> 00:08:45.380
- The one and only ambassador, mike huckabee.
- 00:08:45.380 --> 00:08:48.083
- Ambassador, you have literally a front row seat for the u.s.
- 00:08:48.083 --> 00:08:51.653
- Israel relationship.
- 00:08:51.653 --> 00:08:53.021
- And i've loved
- 00:08:53.021 --> 00:08:54.022
- I've had the laugh,
- 00:08:54.022 --> 00:08:54.990
- I should say, over the past several months,
- 00:08:54.990 --> 00:08:56.591
- Where the mainstream media says there's daylight.
- 00:08:56.591 --> 00:08:59.461
- Netanyahu and trump are not on the same page.
- 00:08:59.461 --> 00:09:02.364
- Meanwhile, they've met at least six times in the past year.
- 00:09:02.364 --> 00:09:05.834
- Can you talk more about that special relationship
- 00:09:05.834 --> 00:09:08.670
- Between the prime minister and the president?
- 00:09:08.670 --> 00:09:11.406
- And it seems to bamboozle the mainstream media every time.
- 00:09:11.406 --> 00:09:15.043
- Well, one of the things that i find
- 00:09:15.043 --> 00:09:16.211
- Very objectionable is that there are people
- 00:09:16.211 --> 00:09:18.513
- Who think that somehow
- 00:09:18.513 --> 00:09:19.681
- The united states and israel are at odds.
- 00:09:19.681 --> 00:09:21.950
- Here's the fact there is no
- 00:09:21.950 --> 00:09:25.086
- Ally that we have on the planet
- 00:09:25.086 --> 00:09:27.722
- That is a more important ally than israel.
- 00:09:27.722 --> 00:09:30.759
- I would say it this way.
- 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:32.027
- We have friends, we have allies, but we only have one partner,
- 00:09:32.027 --> 00:09:35.864
- And that partner is israel.
- 00:09:35.864 --> 00:09:38.967
- We talk about the special relationship
- 00:09:38.967 --> 00:09:40.802
- We have with the uk, and that's fair enough.
- 00:09:40.802 --> 00:09:43.538
- But we don't have the level and the depth of relationship
- 00:09:43.538 --> 00:09:46.875
- With anybody on the planet like we do israel.
- 00:09:46.875 --> 00:09:49.544
- And here's why.
- 00:09:49.544 --> 00:09:50.779
- We share a level of intelligence that is absolutely seamless.
- 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:55.417
- We share military hardware.
- 00:09:55.417 --> 00:09:57.385
- We share military software.
- 00:09:57.385 --> 00:09:59.654
- We share ideas of agriculture, medical technology,
- 00:09:59.654 --> 00:10:04.392
- Innovative technology, defense capabilities, missile defense.
- 00:10:04.392 --> 00:10:09.264
- But more than that, we share
- 00:10:09.864 --> 00:10:11.599
- A value system that is based on the judeo-christian foundation.
- 00:10:11.599 --> 00:10:15.670
- It is the foundation of western civilization.
- 00:10:15.670 --> 00:10:18.239
- It is the foundation of america.
- 00:10:18.239 --> 00:10:20.408
- There would be no america if there was not
- 00:10:20.408 --> 00:10:23.244
- Western civilization.
- 00:10:23.244 --> 00:10:24.679
- And without that,
- 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:27.048
- Without judeo-christian foundation,
- 00:10:27.048 --> 00:10:28.917
- There would be no western civilization.
- 00:10:28.917 --> 00:10:30.885
- So our value system is almost identical.
- 00:10:30.885 --> 00:10:33.988
- And therefore, this is why this relationship
- 00:10:33.988 --> 00:10:37.158
- Is not all about the geopolitical, i would say.
- 00:10:37.158 --> 00:10:40.628
- And your audience will understand this.
- 00:10:40.628 --> 00:10:42.697
- It is also the spiritual. yeah.
- 00:10:42.697 --> 00:10:45.033
- And yet we have people
- 00:10:45.033 --> 00:10:46.434
- Even on the so-called supposedly on the right,
- 00:10:46.434 --> 00:10:48.837
- Attacking this relationship.
- 00:10:48.837 --> 00:10:50.271
- Tucker carlson's
- 00:10:50.271 --> 00:10:51.039
- One name
- 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:52.006
- That comes to mind. i'll ask you about that
- 00:10:52.006 --> 00:10:53.108
- Ambassador in a minute, but real quick.
- 00:10:53.108 --> 00:10:55.143
- I mentioned peace through strength,
- 00:10:55.143 --> 00:10:56.778
- The trump effect before the break.
- 00:10:56.778 --> 00:10:58.880
- He governs.
- 00:10:58.880 --> 00:10:59.814
- Does president trump in the foreign policy
- 00:10:59.814 --> 00:11:01.416
- Realm through peace, through strength.
- 00:11:01.416 --> 00:11:04.052
- And he knows america has leverage
- 00:11:04.052 --> 00:11:05.987
- And he's not afraid to use it. you're in the region.
- 00:11:05.987 --> 00:11:08.423
- You're in the belly of the beast in the middle east.
- 00:11:08.423 --> 00:11:10.391
- Can you talk about the effect trump has had?
- 00:11:10.391 --> 00:11:12.994
- President trump has had in the region and around the world?
- 00:11:12.994 --> 00:11:16.364
- China's paying attention to russia, venezuela, etc.,
- 00:11:16.364 --> 00:11:19.334
- Because he is a man of his word and he's a man of action.
- 00:11:19.334 --> 00:11:23.905
- Nobody and i mean nobody.
- 00:11:24.472 --> 00:11:26.708
- But president trump
- 00:11:26.708 --> 00:11:27.609
- Could have pulled off what he has done
- 00:11:27.609 --> 00:11:29.410
- With the cease fire that is still holding.
- 00:11:29.410 --> 00:11:31.646
- Now, there will be moments
- 00:11:31.646 --> 00:11:32.614
- Just like there was yesterday
- 00:11:32.614 --> 00:11:34.215
- When hamas popped up out of tunnels,
- 00:11:34.215 --> 00:11:36.451
- Started shooting at the idf. they shot back
- 00:11:36.451 --> 00:11:38.920
- And they eliminated some of the hamas targets.
- 00:11:38.920 --> 00:11:41.456
- But the cease fire itself, the idea of a massive military
- 00:11:41.456 --> 00:11:45.260
- Outbreak, has been calm for four months.
- 00:11:45.260 --> 00:11:48.263
- I cannot
- 00:11:48.530 --> 00:11:49.764
- Tell you how important that is to all of us who live in israel.
- 00:11:49.764 --> 00:11:53.034
- Because before that,
- 00:11:53.034 --> 00:11:54.402
- I've been here less than a year, been through four wars.
- 00:11:54.402 --> 00:11:57.105
- We were used to almost
- 00:11:57.105 --> 00:11:58.339
- Every night getting the missile alerts, heading to the shelter.
- 00:11:58.339 --> 00:12:02.143
- And it's been for peaceful, calm
- 00:12:02.143 --> 00:12:04.779
- And very, very wonderful night sleep.
- 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:07.882
- Wouldn't have happened without president trump.
- 00:12:07.882 --> 00:12:09.751
- He got every arab nation to come to sharm el-sheikh
- 00:12:09.751 --> 00:12:13.254
- And egypt and sign the agreement for the peace plan.
- 00:12:13.254 --> 00:12:16.257
- Nobody could have pulled that off.
- 00:12:16.257 --> 00:12:17.625
- And if they could have, they didn't even try.
- 00:12:17.625 --> 00:12:20.261
- So, yes, we're in an unusual place in history
- 00:12:20.261 --> 00:12:23.598
- Because president trump
- 00:12:23.598 --> 00:12:24.632
- Understands how to bring people together.
- 00:12:24.632 --> 00:12:27.635
- They may not always like him.
- 00:12:27.635 --> 00:12:29.270
- They may not always really want to do it.
- 00:12:29.270 --> 00:12:31.806
- But deep down, they know that he has a strength
- 00:12:31.806 --> 00:12:35.176
- That brings people to the room
- 00:12:35.176 --> 00:12:36.845
- And gets them on board with something
- 00:12:36.845 --> 00:12:39.214
- That, deep down, is good for the world.
- 00:12:39.214 --> 00:12:41.249
- He's doing the job that the un should be doing time
- 00:12:41.249 --> 00:12:44.118
- And time again, making peace.
- 00:12:44.118 --> 00:12:45.353
- Left there at peace, breaking out left and right.
- 00:12:45.353 --> 00:12:47.355
- Hey, i mentioned tucker carlson, now
- 00:12:47.355 --> 00:12:50.058
- Seen as a conservative commentator over the years,
- 00:12:50.058 --> 00:12:52.827
- Of course, he's been a really fierce, i'd say,
- 00:12:52.827 --> 00:12:55.296
- Critic of israel and in particular, ambassador
- 00:12:55.296 --> 00:12:58.566
- Accusing israel of not being kind to christians.
- 00:12:58.566 --> 00:13:02.537
- You're on the ground in israel.
- 00:13:02.537 --> 00:13:03.671
- You are a christian. in israel.
- 00:13:03.671 --> 00:13:05.473
- I'm a christian. i'm in israel frequently.
- 00:13:05.473 --> 00:13:07.442
- Can you set the record straight on israel's relationship
- 00:13:07.442 --> 00:13:10.712
- With its christian community, which, by the way, is growing
- 00:13:10.712 --> 00:13:13.948
- By leaps and bounds despite what tucker has accused?
- 00:13:13.948 --> 00:13:18.253
- Yeah.
- 00:13:18.486 --> 00:13:19.654
- Over the past 30 or 40 years, the christian population
- 00:13:19.654 --> 00:13:22.223
- Of israel has increased five and a half times.
- 00:13:22.223 --> 00:13:25.393
- So if he says that the christian population is declining.
- 00:13:25.393 --> 00:13:28.463
- Somebody has given him some very, let's just
- 00:13:28.463 --> 00:13:31.299
- Say, inaccurate information.
- 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:34.535
- As a christian believer, i'm free to practice my faith.
- 00:13:34.535 --> 00:13:37.105
- I can go to the holy sites for, christians.
- 00:13:37.105 --> 00:13:40.909
- The jews can go to the jewish places.
- 00:13:40.909 --> 00:13:42.977
- And let's be honest, muslims can go to the places
- 00:13:42.977 --> 00:13:45.980
- That are special and holy to them,
- 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:48.049
- And they're all protected by the israeli government.
- 00:13:48.049 --> 00:13:50.652
- Now, there are places where christians are not that
- 00:13:50.652 --> 00:13:53.588
- Welcome, but it's not in israel.
- 00:13:53.588 --> 00:13:56.724
- It's in places in the p.a., and it's very difficult
- 00:13:56.724 --> 00:13:59.661
- To go to places like joseph's tomb and nablus.
- 00:13:59.661 --> 00:14:03.031
- Or you have to be very careful going to hebron,
- 00:14:03.031 --> 00:14:05.600
- To the, place of the patriarchs.
- 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:08.870
- But it's pretty amazing how israel is a very multi
- 00:14:08.870 --> 00:14:13.775
- Religious, kind of place where people are free.
- 00:14:13.775 --> 00:14:18.079
- Now, are there some instances where people do stupid things?
- 00:14:18.079 --> 00:14:21.115
- 100%.
- 00:14:21.349 --> 00:14:22.583
- I could point them out if you wanted me to,
- 00:14:22.583 --> 00:14:24.686
- But i'm telling you that the overwhelming attitude
- 00:14:24.686 --> 00:14:28.122
- Toward christians in israel
- 00:14:28.122 --> 00:14:30.091
- Is one of gratitude for the support they get,
- 00:14:30.091 --> 00:14:33.227
- And also a sense of live and let live.
- 00:14:33.227 --> 00:14:37.198
- And, i don't have any problem.
- 00:14:37.198 --> 00:14:38.933
- I even play the bass guitar in my church every sunday.
- 00:14:38.933 --> 00:14:42.003
- Nobody comes in there says, hey, you can't do that.
- 00:14:42.003 --> 00:14:43.938
- You're the ambassador.
- 00:14:43.938 --> 00:14:44.772
- You're not supposed to be in church
- 00:14:44.772 --> 00:14:46.541
- And certainly not participating in the worship service.
- 00:14:46.541 --> 00:14:49.444
- Yeah.
- 00:14:49.444 --> 00:14:50.411
- Ambassador, thank you so much for setting
- 00:14:50.411 --> 00:14:51.546
- The record straight on that.
- 00:14:51.546 --> 00:14:52.880
- It's continuing to be a very contentious issue
- 00:14:52.880 --> 00:14:55.717
- Here in the united states.
- 00:14:55.717 --> 00:14:56.784
- That's why your voice is so important on it.
- 00:14:56.784 --> 00:14:58.653
- About a minute before the break, you mentioned heritage sites,
- 00:14:58.653 --> 00:15:02.156
- The road of pilgrimage just open to the public
- 00:15:02.156 --> 00:15:05.560
- In jerusalem, the city of david, of course,
- 00:15:05.560 --> 00:15:07.428
- Going from the pool of siloam up to the temple.
- 00:15:07.428 --> 00:15:09.731
- There's no doubt
- 00:15:09.731 --> 00:15:10.999
- That during the second temple period, jesus and the disciples
- 00:15:10.999 --> 00:15:13.735
- Would have walked that very road.
- 00:15:13.735 --> 00:15:16.037
- Pretty cool moment there.
- 00:15:16.037 --> 00:15:17.805
- Tell us a bit more. we have about 30s left.
- 00:15:17.805 --> 00:15:20.274
- The significance of that site and it now being open
- 00:15:20.274 --> 00:15:23.177
- To the public, and again, only in israel.
- 00:15:23.177 --> 00:15:25.713
- Greatest archeological discovery,
- 00:15:26.447 --> 00:15:28.182
- Probably in the history of the world,
- 00:15:28.182 --> 00:15:29.450
- Because it absolutely validates that the jews
- 00:15:29.450 --> 00:15:32.653
- Have connection to this land for the past 4000 years.
- 00:15:32.653 --> 00:15:36.090
- And one can walk that pilgrim path from the pool of siloam
- 00:15:36.090 --> 00:15:39.594
- To the temple mount and honestly say,
- 00:15:39.594 --> 00:15:42.363
- This is where jesus walked.
- 00:15:42.363 --> 00:15:44.866
- It's a pretty amazing pilgrimage to make.
- 00:15:44.866 --> 00:15:47.869
- Yeah, and now open everyone, by the way,
- 00:15:47.869 --> 00:15:49.370
- Not just jews, but christians, muslims as well.
- 00:15:49.370 --> 00:15:52.140
- That's israel, diverse and tolerant.
- 00:15:52.140 --> 00:15:54.709
- More with ambassador huckabee after the break,
- 00:15:54.709 --> 00:15:56.911
- He mentioned gaza. what about it?
- 00:15:56.911 --> 00:15:59.013
- What's the status, the state of play with hamas there?
- 00:15:59.013 --> 00:16:01.916
- The board of peace?
- 00:16:01.916 --> 00:16:02.984
- More with ambassador mike huckabee after the break.
- 00:16:02.984 --> 00:16:05.787
- Stick around.
- 00:16:05.787 --> 00:16:07.005
- Stick around.
- 00:16:07.005 --> 00:16:11.427
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight
- 00:16:12.161 --> 00:16:13.629
- We are talking
- 00:16:13.629 --> 00:16:14.329
- To the united states ambassador
- 00:16:14.329 --> 00:16:15.798
- To israel, our good friend, ambassador mike huckabee.
- 00:16:15.798 --> 00:16:19.368
- Ambassador gaza obviously still unfolding.
- 00:16:19.368 --> 00:16:22.805
- I guess we could say over two years
- 00:16:22.805 --> 00:16:24.339
- After the october 7th massacre.
- 00:16:24.339 --> 00:16:26.241
- What's the latest on the ground?
- 00:16:26.241 --> 00:16:28.310
- Hamas has still not disarmed, as we're trying
- 00:16:28.310 --> 00:16:31.480
- To get to phase two of president trump's peace deal.
- 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:34.516
- Will hamas eventually disarm,
- 00:16:34.516 --> 00:16:37.286
- Or is it going to take
- 00:16:37.286 --> 00:16:38.620
- A bit of a nudge, needless to say, to get them to play ball.
- 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:42.724
- And take a nudge?
- 00:16:43.158 --> 00:16:44.126
- I'm not sure they would be smart if they did
- 00:16:44.126 --> 00:16:46.261
- What the president has told them repeatedly.
- 00:16:46.261 --> 00:16:48.163
- They're going to have to do,
- 00:16:48.163 --> 00:16:49.431
- And that's they're going to have to lay down their arms
- 00:16:49.431 --> 00:16:51.400
- And they have no future in gaza.
- 00:16:51.400 --> 00:16:53.102
- So they should lose any ambition whatsoever
- 00:16:53.102 --> 00:16:56.038
- That they're going to help govern even a piece of it.
- 00:16:56.038 --> 00:16:58.540
- Even thinking of them doing that would be like saying,
- 00:16:58.540 --> 00:17:01.343
- Yeah, the world war two is over, but we'll let the nazis
- 00:17:01.343 --> 00:17:05.080
- Have a little piece of germany
- 00:17:05.080 --> 00:17:06.348
- And it's governing going forward.
- 00:17:06.348 --> 00:17:08.484
- Nobody would have thought that that was a good idea.
- 00:17:08.484 --> 00:17:10.719
- Everyone would have said, that's ridiculous.
- 00:17:10.719 --> 00:17:12.921
- And president trump has pretty much said, that's ridiculous.
- 00:17:12.921 --> 00:17:15.457
- Hamas is not going to have a future in gaza.
- 00:17:15.457 --> 00:17:18.694
- Will it take something more than gentle persuasion?
- 00:17:18.694 --> 00:17:22.498
- The president has said if it does, it does,
- 00:17:22.498 --> 00:17:24.933
- And they would be wise to heed his advice.
- 00:17:24.933 --> 00:17:27.536
- But i will say this there's a lot of cynicism.
- 00:17:27.536 --> 00:17:29.972
- Well, it may not be working like it's supposed to.
- 00:17:29.972 --> 00:17:33.008
- Eric, i'm going to tell you again when a cease fire.
- 00:17:33.008 --> 00:17:34.977
- Not only that,
- 00:17:34.977 --> 00:17:36.145
- But something else has happened here
- 00:17:36.145 --> 00:17:37.613
- That most people back in america cannot fully appreciate,
- 00:17:37.613 --> 00:17:40.782
- And that is that every single hostage, living and deceased,
- 00:17:40.782 --> 00:17:43.952
- Has been returned.
- 00:17:44.386 --> 00:17:45.454
- First time since 2014 that there is not one
- 00:17:45.454 --> 00:17:49.191
- Hostage being held by hamas in gaza.
- 00:17:49.191 --> 00:17:53.328
- I'd say this is a huge success story
- 00:17:53.328 --> 00:17:56.632
- That is unfolding with new chapters every day.
- 00:17:56.632 --> 00:17:59.468
- Yeah, it truly is.
- 00:17:59.468 --> 00:18:00.435
- And it's happening, by the way,
- 00:18:00.435 --> 00:18:01.670
- Without in many cases, the active
- 00:18:01.670 --> 00:18:04.006
- Support of our western allies.
- 00:18:04.006 --> 00:18:06.341
- Ambassador, our concern of you been
- 00:18:06.341 --> 00:18:07.843
- About the likes of spain, the u.k.
- 00:18:07.843 --> 00:18:09.945
- And others who have pressured israel incessantly
- 00:18:09.945 --> 00:18:14.049
- During this campaign since october 7th,
- 00:18:14.049 --> 00:18:16.785
- Unilaterally declaring a palestinian state
- 00:18:16.785 --> 00:18:19.154
- Against israel's wishes, of course.
- 00:18:19.154 --> 00:18:21.323
- It seems to me israel, of course,
- 00:18:21.323 --> 00:18:22.724
- The first line of defense for western civilization.
- 00:18:22.724 --> 00:18:25.494
- But america more and more seems like the last line
- 00:18:25.494 --> 00:18:28.330
- Of defense for judeo christian civilization,
- 00:18:28.330 --> 00:18:31.433
- Especially under president trump,
- 00:18:31.433 --> 00:18:33.502
- And showing moral clarity in support of israel
- 00:18:33.502 --> 00:18:36.305
- And the jewish people.
- 00:18:36.305 --> 00:18:37.539
- How do you see these trends that are developing right now
- 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:40.008
- In the west?
- 00:18:40.008 --> 00:18:41.543
- I'd like to say that it's amusing,
- 00:18:42.311 --> 00:18:43.845
- But there's nothing funny about the fact
- 00:18:43.845 --> 00:18:45.581
- That the europeans in particular france and the u.k.
- 00:18:45.581 --> 00:18:48.417
- And others,
- 00:18:48.417 --> 00:18:49.484
- They were so harsh in their condemnation of israel
- 00:18:49.484 --> 00:18:51.753
- And somehow blaming israel
- 00:18:51.753 --> 00:18:53.188
- For everything that was going wrong in gaza,
- 00:18:53.188 --> 00:18:56.191
- When it should have been that
- 00:18:56.191 --> 00:18:57.159
- Hamas was the ones getting the pressure.
- 00:18:57.159 --> 00:18:59.261
- They were the ones that slaughtered, massacred,
- 00:18:59.261 --> 00:19:01.230
- Mutilated over 1200 israeli civilians on october the 7th.
- 00:19:01.230 --> 00:19:06.802
- If americans could put this into perspective,
- 00:19:06.802 --> 00:19:09.304
- That would be the equivalent of someone murdering
- 00:19:09.304 --> 00:19:12.007
- 40,000 americans on a single day.
- 00:19:12.007 --> 00:19:15.711
- Think about that.
- 00:19:15.711 --> 00:19:17.012
- Israel has pressed hard to get those hostages out.
- 00:19:17.012 --> 00:19:19.715
- Finally they're out.
- 00:19:19.715 --> 00:19:21.083
- Hamas still tries to kill as many jews as they possibly can.
- 00:19:21.083 --> 00:19:25.387
- But you know what's so really disturbing?
- 00:19:25.387 --> 00:19:27.956
- That utter silence of france and the u.k.
- 00:19:27.956 --> 00:19:31.727
- And these other european nations that were calling
- 00:19:31.727 --> 00:19:33.729
- For a unilateral declaration of a palestinian state.
- 00:19:33.729 --> 00:19:37.766
- And i can't really point that they've lifted
- 00:19:37.766 --> 00:19:40.269
- A much more than a finger trying to help move forward.
- 00:19:40.269 --> 00:19:44.940
- The peace plan to be on board and to show some leadership
- 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:48.310
- And participation.
- 00:19:48.310 --> 00:19:49.578
- Yeah, it's really stunning because israel's enemies
- 00:19:49.578 --> 00:19:52.347
- Are the enemies of the west
- 00:19:52.347 --> 00:19:53.649
- Writ large, the same radical forces
- 00:19:53.649 --> 00:19:55.450
- That want to kill every jew in israel.
- 00:19:55.450 --> 00:19:57.352
- They have a bull's eye on the back of every brit,
- 00:19:57.352 --> 00:19:59.821
- Every frenchman, every german.
- 00:19:59.821 --> 00:20:01.390
- So it's very shortsighted
- 00:20:01.390 --> 00:20:03.125
- On the part of the europeans, no doubt.
- 00:20:03.125 --> 00:20:05.661
- Hey, a bit of a personal question. you're at israel.
- 00:20:05.661 --> 00:20:07.863
- You're in israel as america's top diplomat
- 00:20:07.863 --> 00:20:10.332
- At a time of history,
- 00:20:10.332 --> 00:20:12.234
- As we're discussing here, iran on the brink.
- 00:20:12.234 --> 00:20:15.103
- Gaza. the pilgrimage road opens.
- 00:20:15.103 --> 00:20:17.372
- Talk a bit more just
- 00:20:17.372 --> 00:20:18.340
- About your personal reflections experiences,
- 00:20:18.340 --> 00:20:21.310
- Especially as a believer representing the united states
- 00:20:21.310 --> 00:20:24.146
- On the ground in israel at this moment in history?
- 00:20:24.146 --> 00:20:27.449
- Well, first of all, it's never boring.
- 00:20:28.250 --> 00:20:29.618
- I can tell you that.
- 00:20:29.618 --> 00:20:30.819
- And the ambassadorship here is not ceremonial.
- 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:34.089
- It's not just about going to
- 00:20:34.089 --> 00:20:35.457
- Some receptions and chit chatting with other ambassadors.
- 00:20:35.457 --> 00:20:38.627
- It is a very intense environment.
- 00:20:38.627 --> 00:20:40.462
- I spend probably sometimes half my day
- 00:20:40.462 --> 00:20:44.499
- Deep in the bowels of classified debriefings
- 00:20:44.499 --> 00:20:47.035
- From intelligence agencies and military out of shades.
- 00:20:47.035 --> 00:20:50.238
- There's so much going on, always in terms of the threats
- 00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:54.910
- That come against israel, which, as you mentioned before,
- 00:20:54.910 --> 00:20:57.779
- They are threats against the united states.
- 00:20:57.779 --> 00:21:00.248
- But i also want to say what i've been amazing
- 00:21:00.248 --> 00:21:02.784
- Time to serve president trump, the united states of america,
- 00:21:02.784 --> 00:21:06.888
- And to serve the lord god, the god of abraham, isaac,
- 00:21:06.888 --> 00:21:10.359
- And jacob, the god who came in the person of christ
- 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:14.262
- And walked this planet right here where i live to serve
- 00:21:14.262 --> 00:21:17.999
- At this particular time, when you see not just a
- 00:21:17.999 --> 00:21:21.937
- War of military, but you see the spiritual war
- 00:21:21.937 --> 00:21:26.475
- Of the forces of god versus the forces of hell itself.
- 00:21:26.475 --> 00:21:30.746
- And just to have the front row seat
- 00:21:30.746 --> 00:21:33.148
- And to every day eric witnessed a miracle.
- 00:21:33.148 --> 00:21:36.818
- I mean, i really mean that.
- 00:21:36.818 --> 00:21:38.320
- I know people think,
- 00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:39.388
- You know, okay, you're supposed to say
- 00:21:39.388 --> 00:21:40.856
- Those kind of spiritual things on a christian television show.
- 00:21:40.856 --> 00:21:43.692
- Look, i say it to the most secular audiences in israel,
- 00:21:43.692 --> 00:21:47.562
- To jewish audiences who aren't even observant.
- 00:21:47.562 --> 00:21:50.098
- And sometimes they may look at me like,
- 00:21:50.098 --> 00:21:52.434
- I never thought about that before.
- 00:21:52.434 --> 00:21:54.169
- But i say, think about it.
- 00:21:54.169 --> 00:21:55.504
- Because if you don't see
- 00:21:55.504 --> 00:21:56.538
- The miracles in this country every day,
- 00:21:56.538 --> 00:21:59.141
- I think it takes more faith to not believe in god than it does
- 00:21:59.141 --> 00:22:02.778
- To simply look around and say, oh yeah, there is a god.
- 00:22:02.778 --> 00:22:06.581
- No doubt he's moving in his land and among his people right now
- 00:22:06.581 --> 00:22:10.419
- More than ever before, i think.
- 00:22:10.419 --> 00:22:11.787
- And ambassador huckabee, you've got a front row seat for.
- 00:22:11.787 --> 00:22:13.989
- Thank you for all you're
- 00:22:13.989 --> 00:22:15.090
- Doing for america, for the u.s., israel relationship
- 00:22:15.090 --> 00:22:17.592
- And thanks so much for joining us, ambassador mike huckabee.
- 00:22:17.592 --> 00:22:20.028
- God bless my friend. we will see you again soon.
- 00:22:20.028 --> 00:22:22.330
- And coming up after the break,
- 00:22:22.330 --> 00:22:23.598
- My final thoughts on this very special relationship.
- 00:22:23.598 --> 00:22:27.669
- That's next. don't move.
- 00:22:27.669 --> 00:22:30.002
- That's next. don't move.
- 00:22:30.002 --> 00:22:30.604
- But. welcome back to stakelbeck tonight, folks.
- 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:36.610
- As we wrap up here,
- 00:22:36.610 --> 00:22:37.645
- Great conversation with ambassador mike huckabee.
- 00:22:37.645 --> 00:22:39.847
- And look when we talk about the u.s.
- 00:22:39.847 --> 00:22:41.282
- Israel relationship, genesis 12 three foundational verse.
- 00:22:41.282 --> 00:22:44.385
- We talk about a bunch here in the show.
- 00:22:44.385 --> 00:22:46.220
- I will bless those who bless you.
- 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:47.721
- I will curse those who curse you.
- 00:22:47.721 --> 00:22:49.390
- God says to abraham about the jewish people.
- 00:22:49.390 --> 00:22:52.026
- But the second part of that verse, folks, people
- 00:22:52.026 --> 00:22:53.828
- Often forget god says, and all peoples on earth
- 00:22:53.828 --> 00:22:57.264
- Will be blessed through you, through the people of israel.
- 00:22:57.264 --> 00:23:00.868
- Think of the incredible innovation, scientific
- 00:23:00.868 --> 00:23:03.170
- And medical, high tech coming out of israel
- 00:23:03.170 --> 00:23:05.439
- That's blessing the world.
- 00:23:05.439 --> 00:23:06.674
- But think most of all the word of god and jesus, the messiah
- 00:23:06.674 --> 00:23:11.312
- From the land of israel, truly blessing every nation on earth.
- 00:23:11.312 --> 00:23:16.717
- Hey, tomorrow, erin molan joining us from australia,
- 00:23:16.717 --> 00:23:19.887
- Great guest talking iran, radical islam, much more.
- 00:23:19.887 --> 00:23:23.157
- Until then god bless you and we'll see you soon.
- 00:23:23.157 --> 00:23:23.157
