US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and former hostage Yarden Bibas dedicated an olive tree in Moshav HaYogev to honor Shiri Bibas and her sons Ariel and Kfir, who were killed after being taken hostage on October 7. Huckabee said the Bibas family’s sacrifice will not be forgotten and noted the memorial tree will yield olives and oil as a continuing sign of life. The ceremony also included a tree for Sarah Huckabee Sanders and a memorial tree presented by Avi Harush for his son Sgt. Reef Harush, who was killed in Gaza in April 2024. My Tree in Israel hosted a tour of a regional olive press following the event.
‘Not Forgotten’: US Ambassador Huckabee and Former Hostage Yarden Bibas Dedicate Olive Tree to Slain Bibas Family
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and former Gaza hostage Yarden Bibas at the My Tree in Israel event in Moshav HaYogev. July 9, 2026. (photo credit: SAM HALPERN)
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and former Gaza hostage Yarden Bibas joined in a moving ceremony at Moshav HaYogev to dedicate an olive tree in memory of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir.
Ceremony and Remarks
Organized through the My Tree in Israel initiative, the dedication honored the Bibas family, who were taken hostage during the October 7 attacks in southern Israel. Yarden Bibas was the only member of his immediate family returned alive. At the ceremony, Ambassador Huckabee addressed Yarden and his son Ofri, saying:
“The sacrifice that your family made for the people of Israel is one that obviously is not being forgotten.”
Huckabee noted that the plaque beside the tree is meant to symbolize renewal and ongoing life:
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Avi Harush at the My Tree in Israel event in Moshav HaYogev. July 9, 2026. (credit: SAM HALPERN)
“With the plaque on the tree, it's a reminder that life is still coming. The olives, every year, will produce wonderful, beautiful olive oil that you'll be able to have and share, and know that it's in memory of Shiri and your two sons.”
Other Dedications and Tributes
The program also featured a separate tree dedicated to Ambassador Huckabee’s daughter, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Organizers updated the sign at Huckabee’s own tree to reflect his current diplomatic post, replacing the older “Governor Mike Huckabee” plaque.
Avi Harush, the father of Sgt. Reef Harush, presented a memorial tree in his son’s honor. Sgt. Harush, 20, served with the Oz Brigade and was killed in combat in southern Gaza in April 2024. Harush had been undergoing commando training prior to his death. Speaking to Avi Harush, Huckabee praised Sgt. Harush’s sacrifice and framed it as protecting both Israelis and the many Americans living in Israel:
“Anything that happens to Israel is going to happen to Americans because there are so many of us who are here… When someone falls in battle, they're certainly fighting for Israel, but they are also defending the 700,000 US citizens who are here as well.”
Avi Harush expressed gratitude for the tribute and said the dedication made him feel that his son is at peace.
About My Tree in Israel
Following the dedications, My Tree in Israel CEO Kobi Assaf led Ambassador Huckabee on a tour of a nearby olive-press facility that the organization describes as the largest in the Middle East. My Tree in Israel allows supporters abroad to adopt an olive tree, grapevine, or whisky-barrel share—supporting local farmers while receiving annual products from the adopted plot and the opportunity to visit it. The organization provides additional details on its website.
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