Autistic 12-year-old goes viral after meeting with American Ambassador to Israel

Amitai Pearl may be only 12, but his interests already extend far beyond the usual preoccupations of childhood.

The boy from Atlit, near Haifa, recently attracted widespread attention after meeting US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee at the US Embassy in Jerusalem. During the meeting, Huckabee presented Amitai with his ambassadorial pin and jokingly declared him “the new ambassador” before praising the youngster’s knowledge of history, diplomacy and international relations.

Speaking alongside his father, Michael, on i24NEWS’ The Rundown with Nicole Zedeck, Amitai described the encounter as unforgettable.

“It was an amazing meeting, an incredible meeting,” he said. “I will always remember it.”

Amitai said Huckabee was not only knowledgeable but also warm and attentive throughout their conversation. “He was an amazing person, and he was very nice to me,” Amitai said. “I think he wanted to spend time with me. It was a very good, warm and funny meeting.”

‘He Gave Him the Stage’

Michael Pearl said he was deeply moved by the meeting, and slightly envious of his son.

“I’ve been a fan of Mike Huckabee even before he became ambassador, and I always wanted to meet him,” he told Zedeck. “But during the meeting, I couldn’t even say a word because I wanted to give [Amitai] the stage.”

Michael said he was “super proud” as the ambassador and his son discussed subjects including the Abraham Accords and regional diplomacy.

“They had a lovely talk,” he said. “Amitai even managed to get some interesting details from the ambassador.”

Amitai’s meeting with Huckabee was widely shared online after the ambassador described him as an “inspiring young man” who “truly gets it.” The encounter also drew attention to Amitai’s unusual depth of knowledge and his enthusiasm for engaging with international affairs at an early age.

‘Politics and Diplomacy Are Very Cool’

Asked when his interest in foreign policy and international relations began, Amitai said he had been drawn to the subjects for “a very long time.”

He added that Huckabee appeared particularly impressed that a child was so engaged with diplomacy and politics.

“He saw that I’m a kid, but also that I’m very interested in these topics,” Amitai said. “That’s why he was very nice, and very funny.”

Amitai also had a message for other children, encouraging them to look beyond entertainment and social media and learn more about the forces shaping their country and the world.

“Most 12-year-olds are interested in TikTok, influencers, football and music,” he said. “And that’s fine: children can do what they want. But I think kids in Israel and around the world should also learn a little about politics and diplomacy.”

“They are very cool topics, and very important topics,” he added. “It’s good to know about them.”

‘Maybe I’ll Be Prime Minister’

When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, Amitai gave an answer that matched his ambitions.

“I want to be the next prime minister of the State of Israel,” he said. He then offered what he called more immediate goals: becoming a diplomat or serving as foreign minister, with the opportunity to meet ambassadors from countries that support Israel. The interview concluded with a message to world leaders.

“I want to thank all the leaders around the world who support Israel and condemn the terrorist attacks against Israel,” Amitai said. “We need to strengthen our partnerships with all the countries that support Israel.”