US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee expressed astonishment at Israel’s economic resilience, declaring it “stunning” that the country achieved GDP growth during a year in which it was simultaneously engaged in conflict with Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran.
Speaking on Israeli Channel 14, Huckabee described the feat as “unheard of” and a powerful indicator of Israel’s transformation into a very strong economy. He argued that this performance proves the country no longer fits the traditional image of an aid-dependent state. Instead, he said Israel is now positioned to engage the United States as a trade partner rather than a recipient of assistance.
The ambassador used Israel’s wartime economic success to underscore a broader shift in bilateral relations. He noted that both President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu support moving “from the idea of aid to trade,” a change Huckabee believes will benefit security cooperation and prosperity on both sides. “Let’s do things that benefit both our countries,” he said, describing the approach as one that strengthens mutual interests without the dynamics of one-sided aid.
Huckabee also placed the economic achievement in the context of recent security breakthroughs. He highlighted the return of every hostage—living and deceased—and the sustained ceasefire that has lasted almost four months. These developments, he said, have ended the nightly routine of air-raid sirens and shelter runs, allowing Israelis to enjoy uninterrupted sleep and normal life for the first time in years.
The ambassador noted that “there are many things to celebrate in the peace deal already,” even as implementation continues. His comments suggest that the most fundamental achievement—the cessation of rocket attacks that required 90-second scrambles to shelters—has provided a foundation of stability upon which other elements of the agreement can be built.
For Huckabee, the ability to sleep through the night without missile alerts represents both a personal relief and a measure of diplomatic success.
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