U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee marked Easter Sunday by attending prayers at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, a site cherished by many Protestants as the place of Jesus’ burial and resurrection.

“Over the past 52 years, I’ve been here probably 100 times, but never did I dream of coming in the capacity as ambassador,” Huckabee told those gathered at the service.

“It’s that hope that I genuinely believe is needed in this world and across all of our lives—to recognize that God’s presence here in this city is a remarkable reminder that God is not finished with us yet,” he said.

“We ask you to pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” the ambassador added.

I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter Sunday and may we all pray for the peace of Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/GJC8hXqGe0

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@USAmbIsrael) April 20, 2025

Huckabee’s participation in the Easter prayers came just two days after his arrival in Israel to assume his post. Even before presenting his diplomatic credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Huckabee made his first official stop at the Western Wall on Friday.

Accompanied by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, Huckabee placed a handwritten note from former U.S. President Donald Trump between the ancient stones.

“What an honor it is for me to be here on behalf of President of the United States Donald Trump,” Huckabee said, “and to present a prayer that he handwrote and gave to me last Thursday in the White House, with the instruction that my first act as the ambassador would be to take his prayer—praying for the peace of Jerusalem—and to bring it to the Wall and to pray that there would in fact be peace in the land.”

“It’s a special honor and joy to be able to do this on this final weekend of Passover,” he added. “I cannot think of a better time to come and to bring this message of goodwill, and I also come with a prayer that all of the hostages will come home now. And that is the prayer of the president as well.”

Speaking to reporters at the site, Huckabee said the U.S.-Israel relationship is “rooted in our love of democracy and our love of the Judeo-Christian understanding that every life has worth and value.”