In a newly announced appointment, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the United States Ambassador to Israel. Huckabee, a long-time public servant and leader in the evangelical community, is set to represent the United States in one of its most strategically critical roles abroad. The move represents a key piece of Trump’s ongoing foreign policy agenda, which includes a focus on bolstering alliances in the Middle East.
President Trump made the announcement in a statement released earlier today, expressing his confidence in Huckabee’s capabilities and dedication to the position. “I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, has been nominated to be The United States Ambassador to Israel. Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump said. “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”
Known for his outspoken support for Israel, Huckabee has often voiced his belief in the strong bond between the U.S. and Israel. During his tenure as Arkansas governor and subsequent career as a political commentator, he has been a vocal advocate for policies supporting Israel’s security and sovereignty.
Huckabee’s support for Israel is deeply rooted in his evangelical Christian faith. He has consistently defended Israeli settlements in the West Bank and has expressed skepticism toward Palestinian statehood. In 2008, he remarked, “There’s really no such thing as a Palestinian,” reflecting his belief in Israel’s historical claims to the land. “The idea that they have a long history, dating back hundreds or thousands of years, is not true,” Huckabee told The Washington Post in 2015.
He spoke highly of the Israeli people, stating that they “reflect the values upon which our country was founded upon,” emphasizing their deep appreciation for freedom. He also said that the Jews are “the only people who ever had this as their homeland.”
In December 2023, Huckabee led an evangelical solidarity mission to Israel, visiting areas affected by conflict and meeting with Israeli officials and families impacted by violence. He described the experience as a “gut punch,” to the Times of Israel. “If we don’t stand with Israel, we stand for chaos.”
“I thought that we need, as Americans, to say with conviction to our Jewish friends in Israel: we stand with you,” he said. “What you’ve been through is a level of savagery that no human being should experience. And [we need] to say boldly to the people in the US who are parading in the streets, completely misunderstanding what this is about, that there is no moral equivalency.”
The former governor has claimed that the only way to end the conflict in Gaza is for Hamas to surrender. “This is like trying to negotiate with the Nazis in World War II. You just don’t,” he told NewsNation in June. “You beat them. You defeat them. You eradicate them.”
As U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Huckabee’s responsibilities will include strengthening diplomatic relations, addressing security concerns in the region, and supporting peace efforts amid ongoing tensions. The timing of Huckabee’s nomination also signals Trump’s continued emphasis on Middle East diplomacy as a priority in his administration.
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