Video summary
Twelve-year-old Amitai Pearl has captured global attention following an extraordinary meeting with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, during which the young boy displayed a level of diplomatic maturity that rivals seasoned professionals. Despite having autism and focusing his interests on history, diplomacy, and international relations rather than typical teenage hobbies like football or social media influencers, Amitai engaged in a warm and humorous conversation that left both him and the ambassador in awe. The interaction highlighted how Amitai's deep passion for foreign policy allowed him to discuss complex topics such as the Abraham Accords with confidence, proving that his intellect and eloquence far exceed those of many adults working in government today.
The emotional core of their meeting was underscored by mutual respect and a shared sense of purpose regarding Israel's security and international standing. Amitai expressed profound gratitude for the support he received from leaders worldwide who condemned terrorist attacks on Israel, while also noting that his interest in these critical issues intensified following the October 7 events. His father, Michael Pearl, watched with immense pride as his son held his own against a high-ranking diplomat, admitting to feeling envious of Amitai's ability to command such attention and insight. The atmosphere was not only serious but filled with laughter, demonstrating that meaningful dialogue can transcend age barriers when genuine interest is present on both sides.
Looking toward the future, Amitai has outlined ambitious goals for his life as he continues to pursue a career in diplomacy and politics. He explicitly stated his desire to become Israel's next prime minister or foreign minister, aiming to meet new ambassadors who will strengthen partnerships with countries that support Israel. This viral moment serves not only as an inspiration to other children interested in global affairs but also as a testament to the importance of learning about political science early on. As he prepares for what could be a remarkable journey ahead, Amitai remains committed to exploring new discoveries and fostering international cooperation, proving that dedication to one's passions can lead to extraordinary achievements regardless of age or background.
Read the full video transcript
Our next guest might only be 12 years
old, but he's already speaking like a
seasoned diplomat. Amitai Pearl recently
had a now viral meeting with US
ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabe.
Rammitai showed off his remarkable
knowledge of history and international
relations, revealed some very ambitious
plans for his own future. Take a look.
>> I hereby declare you ambassador of the
United States of America.
>> [music]
>> Good afternoon.
>> Come on in.
>> How are you?
>> I'm doing great. How are you, Amitai?
You are 12 years old. Is that right?
>> Yes. I have autism and one of my biggest
interests is history, diplomacy, and
international relations.
>> I would like to thank you for your
friendship with Israel, your support
over many years, and the potent [music]
work you do to strengthen the
relationship between our two countries.
We must cooperate [music]
more and more.
>> Amiti, you are much smarter than most
everybody I know in [music] government
and in diplomacy.
>> With me in studio now is Amitai Pearl
and his father, Michael, thank you both
for being with me here in the i24 News
studio. Amitai, you had quite a viral
moment over the weekend following your
meeting with Ambassador Huckabe.
>> Well, I agree with you. Yes, I'm sure
you've got a big response so far. The
ambassador was in awe after meeting you,
but what about you? How was it for you
to meet Ambassador Huckabe?
>> It was an amazing It was an amazing
meeting.
It was an incredible meeting. I never
forget it.
>> I think I always remember it, of course.
Um,
and I think that the ambassador M Hakby,
he was an amazing um an amazing and very
an amazing
>> person.
>> Person and yes, an amazing person. But I
also think that he was very nice to me
>> and I think that he wanna like um like
to spend the meeting with me and it was
a very good meeting and a very
>> warm meeting.
>> Warm meeting but also a very
funny meeting.
>> Yes. Well, I'm sure he had a lot to
learn from you. You bring a lot of
information. I have to say it's not only
the ambassador that was in awe. I was in
awe when we met outside the studio.
Right away you said I know you. You said
I know you from your interview with the
Somali land president. That was from a
few months ago Amit Thai. Yes. So you
left me in awe right away. How long have
you been interested in in foreign policy
and international relations?
I think I was interested in this uh in
this topics for a very long time. And I
just want to say h that also um when I
met Mike Hakabe, the ambassador,
he he just I say that he just was very
nice to me. But I think that he also
like was very funny because he saw that
I kid [snorts] and if and also what you
ask about h
the topics that I like. I like um
diplomacy and politics and I think that
because he saw that I'm very interested
in these topics and and there and that
there is a kid that interested in these
topics. So he's was very nice ambassador
and very funny. But I I don't think that
he
like that in original.
Michael, how is it for you to see your
son sit across from the US ambassador
and hold his own, have this thorough
conversation? What is that like for you
to watch that?
>> First of all, I got to say I'm I'm I'm
really envious because [laughter]
>> fair
>> for sure. I I mean I I've been a fan of
Mike Hakabe even way before he became
the the ambassador and I always wanted
to meet him but during the meeting I I
could not even say a word because I
wanted to give him the stage.
>> Yes. So uh but seriously it was an
incredible experience. I was super
proud. Uh they had a lovely talk. Uh he
even managed to get some scoops, some
you know uh interesting uh secret
details from the ambassador.
>> What's the scoop that you got?
>> What scoop?
>> Uh they talked about various things uh
about the Abraham Accords. Yes. Right.
And you know we talk about the Abraham
codes and I think that it it also it
also in the topics of politics and
diplomacy and I think that h it was that
we that
because I like these topics. I like them
um um for as I say for a very long time
and it and you know there is some kids
that love other things that love
football or or
um I don't know
>> influencers
>> what
>> most 12y olds these days they're
interested in Tik Tok and influencers
and football
>> in football in
of listening to songs of some sing. I
think that all the kids
can do what they want. But I want to say
to the kids that is doing Israel and in
the world that h
I think that pol that you need also to
in to h learn a little bit about h the
topics of politics and dipl and and
diplomacy because it's a very cool
topics and the very important topics and
just learn about it and it's very Good
to know.
>> You are now an honorary ambassador.
Also, you have this little pin that
Ambassador Huckabe gave you as an
honorary ambassador. What's going to be
your first diplomatic move? What's the
message that you want to share? [snorts]
>> I want to show it to the whole world.
Thank you for your support. Thank to my
family, my parents, all of who that
watch me right now. Just thank you. And
I just want to say um that um that
when I say that I interest in politics
and in diplomacy
um um I I interested in these topics for
a very long time. Um
and I always want to explore and
discover new things also from the war
that started in Israel on the October 7
attacks on Israel. So then I started
very very h strongly to h to interest in
these topics.
>> And going forward now what's the goal
when you grow up? What do you want to
be?
>> I say it to anyone
uh to everyone. Sorry. I want to be the
next prime minister of the state of
Israel. But if I can say h some goals
um that there is that is no very big
goals. I would say that I want to be
diplomat and foreign minister and I want
to meet a new ambassadors that support
Israel.
>> Well certainly I can see all of this
happening in your future. You're only 12
years old. you have a long road ahead of
you, but you're off to such an amazing
start. Amit
>> and for for um for for the end of this
interview, I just want to say thank to
all of the leaders of the world that
support Israel that
that that
condemning the terrorist attacks on
Israel
and thank and just thank you for that
and
h we need to strengthen our partnership
with all the countries and that support
with Israel.
>> You certainly are more eloquent in your
getting your message across than most
politicians and diplomats these days.
Amit Michael, you have a lot to be proud
of. Certainly. Thank you for sharing
your message with us today. Amitai.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you so much.