During the ceremony for the land allocation agreement to build the permanent U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, a symbolic moment unfolded when U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee gave Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar a one-dollar bill on Wednesday—in accordance with the terms of the agreement signed between the two countries.
In his remarks, Huckabee addressed the partnership between Israel and the United States, saying: “This partnership is eternal, just as the Jewish people are eternal.” He then explained the meaning of the gesture: “Mr. Minister, I know that in the agreement we are signing, it is stipulated that the lease of the land will be for a period of 99 years. And during those 99 years, with the option to extend, the payment required is just one dollar.”
Huckabee then pulled out the bill and handed it to the foreign minister. “Sir, I want to give you my personal contribution to the people of Israel. So I’m giving you that one dollar, so you know we stand by our commitment to you,” he said. The ambassador’s gesture drew attention at the ceremony and symbolically illustrated the terms of the agreement, under which the United States will lease the land for the permanent building of its embassy in Jerusalem for a symbolic payment of one dollar for 99 years, with the option to extend the lease in the future.