“I am proud and deeply grateful that you allow me to stand with you, United with Israel,” said Governor Mike Huckabee at a unique Jerusalem celebration, where he officially became the 3-millionth member of United with Israel (UWI).
Gov. Huckabee (2R) with David Zeit (R) and Michael and Bonnie Gerbitz. (Photo: Jared Bernstein)
“There is a distinct difference between good and evil – and Israel is good,” said Michael Dale (Mike) Huckabee at a private reception in Jerusalem on February 18, where he was honored as ‘Number 3,000,000’ of United with Israel, the world’s largest pro-Israel community.
“It is the moral commitment of Israel to understand its responsibility in the world that I admire most,” said Huckabee.
An ordained minister, author of several best-selling books, public speaker and ABC political commentator, Huckabee, who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas (1996-2007), was a candidate in the 2008 US Republican presidential primaries. Until recently, he hosted the Fox News talk show Huckabee, which he closed in order to consider a 2016 presidential candidacy.
UWI was launched three years ago, and within this brief period the organization has garnered more than three-million supporters worldwide. At a private celebration at the elegant Inbal Hotel marking this milestone event, Huckabee thanked the organizers for the “extraordinary honor.”
“I think there are far more people [who love Israel] but just haven’t logged in yet,” he quipped after pressing the ‘Like’ button on UWI’s Facebook page in view of the audience, which included thousands of online viewers worldwide. “We just have to find the other several hundred million people who ought to be United with Israel.”
Gov. Mike Huckabee greets journalist and Israel advocate Caroline Glick at UWI milestone event in Jerusalem. (Photo: Jared Bernstein)
Huckabee welcomed journalist Caroline Glick, who “is one of my very favorite heroes…. She speaks such truth with such clarity and she speaks with moral authority. There are very few people on the planet today who have a more important and profound voice for the rationale of Israel and the reason for which sane and civilized people should be United with Israel.”
Glick congratulated UWI for “bringing the truth to the world in such a successful way…. I look forward to being invited here next year when you have your 30-millionth.”
Telling the Truth about Israel
“We live in very challenging times,” Glick declared. “I can think of no project that is more important than to speak the truth in a world of lies.”
UWI Founder Michael Gerbitz welcomes Shas Founder and Member of Knesset Nissim Ze’ev (Photo: Jared Bernstein)
Senior Knesset Member Nissim Ze’ev, founder of the Shas Party, expressed gratitude to Huckabee not only for supporting the Jewish state, but also for “standing up for the human rights of all people in the region and for not being afraid to tell the truth.”
Huckabee explained that to be united with Israel means that “we are committed to get out the truth to the world.”
UWI Executive Director David Zeit conceded that “in the world of Israel advocacy and public diplomacy, friends like Governor Huckabee don’t come around very often.
“Governor Huckabee is not afraid to say how Israel is the beacon of light in the darkness that is the Middle East,” Zeit continued. “Governor Huckabee does so all over the world… because it’s the right thing to do. Because it’s the truth. And speaking the truth is the honorable thing to do. That’s Governor Huckabee.”
The ‘Best Friend’ Israel Can Have
Gov. Huckabee with UWI founder Michael Gerbitz (R), Executive Director David Zeit (2R), and Shayna and Ari Enkin, UWI rabbinic director. (Photo: Jared Bernstein)
Addressing Huckabee, Michael Gerbitz, UWI founder, said: “I cannot thank you enough not just for coming tonight, but for coming to Israel for the last 43 years and for being the best friend that Israel can have.”
“As a pro-Israel organization we couldn’t think of a better pro-Israel president of the United States than Mike Huckabee”.
As Gerbitz presented Huckabee with a special plaque and gift, he said that we “recognize your invaluable friendship and unwavering support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. We are honored to welcome you into our community of three million United with Israel.”
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Israel’s Fight Against Global Jihad
“It is the moral commitment of Israel to understand its responsibility in the world that I admire most,” Huckabee asserted.
“Radical Islamic Jihadism is the most insidious danger that faces the world today. Israel is only the initial target. The United States is the ultimate target.”
Therefore, United with Israel “means more than simply pressing the button on a laptop,” but also making a sincere “commitment.”
Advocating for Israel Around the World
UWI advocates for Israel and the Jewish People in more than 100 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Aisa, Africa and Australia. United with Israel followers hail even from places where support for the Jewish State would be least expected, such as Kuwait, Yemen, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates.
United with Israel staff members at milestone event in Jerusalem. (Photo: Jared Bernstein)
“Israel is the last light in the darkness of the Middle East,” commented a fan from Bangalore, India.
A member from Washington explained that he has “strong respect for people who have made such a great contribution to humanity in spite of oppression.”
“Israel is the pillar that supports the peace of the world, as it’s the only nation in the Middle East preventing Islamic Jihad from engulfing it and, inevitably, the whole world,” wrote a fan from Yenagoa, Nigeria.
And yet another, from Minnesota: “I support your nation because it brings wonders that help heal a broken world.”
According to a gentleman from Mbara, Uganda, “three million is not enough. We want to make half the world for Israel.”
“Amen!” said Gerbitz, as he read statements from UWI’s global supporters.
UWI Making a Difference on the Ground
Residents in the South view bomb shelter donated by United with Israel.
On a tangible level, UWI has recently installed 17 portable bomb shelters to protect civilians living under fire, helped in the relocation of families during Operation Protective Edge, provided thousands of Israeli soldiers with essential supplies throughout the year, donated security and first aid equipment to border communities in southern Israel and sponsored Torah study as a spiritual endeavor for the safety of the IDF soldiers.
“With three million strong, we will continue to grow and share the miracles of Israel together,” Gerbitz stated.
As United with Israel tackles more challenges and continues its vital work of promoting Israel around the world, the paramount task of “growing the world’s largest pro-Israel community from the millions into the billions is UWI’s roadmap for the future,” said UWI Executive Director David Zeit. “And we believe that the future is now.”
Governor Huckabee concluded his dignified address by saying that he was “happy, proud and deeply grateful that you allow me to stand with you, United with Israel.”
By Atara Beck
Senior Writer, United with Israel
‘Three Million Strong’ Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2015
World’s Largest Pro-Israel Group Celebrates ‘3 Million Strong’ with Mike Huckabee
United with Israel (UWI), the world’s largest grassroots pro-Israel community, has reached a significant milestone with 3 million supporters and counting.
Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, has become number 3,000,000, while attending United with Israel’s “Three Million Strong” celebration in Jerusalem on February 18, 2015.
“There is a distinct difference between good and evil – and Israel is good… I am proud and deeply grateful that you allow me to stand with you, United with Israel,” said Huckabee at the event.
In 2012, Prime Minister Netanyahu was “honored to be the one millionth fan” of UWI.
Founder Michael Gerbitz remarked, “It is truly amazing that at a time when governments around the world are united in their condemnation of the State of Israel, we’ve been able to connect with millions of people – many in some of the most anti-Semitic countries – who are proud to stand united with Israel”.
He explained that the “exponential impact of social-media powered outreach is dramatic when our community of 3 million supporters gives us access to half a billion people. This is exactly what’s needed to win Israel’s battle of public opinion throughout the world.”
About United with Israel
United with Israel is a global, grassroots movement comprised of individuals who are deeply committed to the success and prosperity of Israel. Using social media and the latest web technology, UWI has built a massive global network of pro-Israel activists in order to promote unity with the People, Country and Land of Israel.
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For more information, contact:
Michael Gerbitz, Founder and Director
Office: +972-2-533-7841
Email: info@unitedwithisrael.org
Website: www.unitedwithisrael.org