Mike Huckabee Sworn In as U.S. Ambassador to Israel in Arkansas Ceremony

Official Swearing-In Ceremony

• 🇺🇸 Mike Huckabee was officially sworn in as the new United States Ambassador to Israel.
• 📍 The ceremony took place in the Arkansas State Capitol building, a location significant to Huckabee's professional life.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 His family, including his wife Janet and children, were present to celebrate the occasion.

Personal Significance and Journey

• 🗺️ Huckabee reflected on the unexpected nature of his appointment, which came via a phone call from President Trump shortly after the election.
• ⏳ The appointment process was described as complicated and drawn-out, with confirmation happening just hours before the ceremony.
• 🤝 The swearing-in was presided over by Judge Leavinsky Smith, a long-time acquaintance from Huckabee's hometown of Hope, Arkansas.

Historical and Familial Connections to Israel

• 📖 A Bible purchased in Jerusalem in 1973, from Huckabee's first trip to Israel with his college roommate Rick Caldwell, was used for the oath.
• 💍 This same Bible has been used in significant family events, including Janet and Mike's wedding, Huckabee's gubernatorial swearing-ins, and his daughter Sarah's wedding and governorship swearing-in.
• 🏡 Huckabee expressed a deep personal connection to Israel, describing it as the only place he has visited for the first time and felt like he was going home.

Deployment and Future Role

• ✈️ Huckabee and his wife Janet are scheduled to deploy to Jerusalem the following week, likely arriving around Thursday.
• 🙏 The prayer offered during the ceremony included a plea for the peace of Israel and for guidance for Huckabee in his new role.
• 🏛️ Huckabee humorously noted his preference for conducting the ceremony in Arkansas rather than Washington D.C., where he prefers to spend as little time as possible.