Former U.S. presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee has appointed himself a voluntary ambassador for Israel.

The former Governor of Arkansas, and Baptist pastor, who is now a Fox News commentator, was in Israel on his twelfth visit, and his 3rd in less than 2 years, hosting a tour of 170 people, mostly on their first trip to the Jewish state.

Huckabee is being treated as an honored guest as he is likely to be a presidential candidate again in 2012, after running second to John McCain in 2008. He met a gathering of Knesset members Friday, while in the next few days he will have private meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Huckabee heaped praise on Israel while criticizing the United States. He was particularly scathing about U.S. policy on Iran, saying at one point during a speech to Israeli Knesset (parliament) members, that he was "disturbed," by it. "A nuclear device, in the hands of a madman like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is simply unacceptable, and the world, not just Israel, but the rest of the free world, must make it clear that that cannot and will not happen, under any circumstances, at any time," he told Knesset members.

The former Republican presidential candidate said he agreed with Mr Netyahu's avid warning: "This is 1938. And Iran is Germany."

Mr Huckabee was also critical of the Obama administration's priorities in the Middle East, describing them as "misplaced."

"It pains me that I hear more concern from this administration of our country, talking about the building of a baby's nursery in a Jewish-owned community in Israel, than about the construction of a nuclear bomb in Iran," he said. His remarks received a standing ovation from the Israeli Knesset members.

The former two-time governor went on to speak about his warmth and friendship towards Israel and the relationship that exists not just between governments, but between Israel and the average American.

Interviewed by INN TV, he told the network he has a high opinion of Israel and that he enjoys accompanying people to the country as he gets the opportunity to witness at first hand how people are awakened to the issues confronting Israel. Those on the tour, which was organized by Ducar International (wholesale tour operators), are being charged $4,000 per person for the 10 day trip.

Mr Huckabee also praised Israel for its technological advances, particularly given that it occupied just "8,000 square miles on the entire planet."

"I don't think anybody rationally can say 'well, they just have too doggone much territory, they have too much land.' Too much of what? They have to pump their water in every way possible and squeeze every possible benefit of every drop, They essentially took over a desert, they turned it green, they've fed themselves and fed half the world from it, their technology is unbelievable, number two in patents worldwide. If anything, the world should say 'thank you Israel' for establishing not just a place of refuge but a place really that has been an influence to the rest of the world."

"My hope and my prayer is that not only will you sense our gratitude for your hospitality and for your candor in sharing with us the perspective you have brought to us today, but I also would sincerely want to express that it is our desire to go back to our home, not only as good and faithful and loyal Americans, but also as voluntary ambassadors for our friends in Israel, that we might always pray for the peace of Jerusalem, that we might always work for the stability, the safety, and the security of this land, and these people, our friends, our family," Mr Huckabee told Knesset members. God bless you."