President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced Mike Huckabee as nominee for US ambassador to Israel. The 69-year-old former governor of Arkansas currently hosts a show on the religious broadcast network TBN. He ran for the Republican nomination for president in 2008 and in 2016 against Trump, but failed.
"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," Trump said in a statement. "Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. 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!"
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What Mike Huckabee's Appointment Means For Israel's Wars?
Huckabee has been an ardent supporter of Israel. He has led paid tour group visits to the country for years, frequently advertising the trips on conservative-leaning news outlets.
In June, the former Arkansas governor slammed the Biden administration for supporting a cease-fire deal in Gaza.
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“Well, there’s no valid reason to have a cease-fire with Hamas. They’re not capable of having an honorable negotiation,” Huckabee said in an interview with NewsNation’s Hena Doba. “And every time something is put on the table, they pretend that they’re gonna listen to it, they pretend that they’re for it and then they always reject it.”
“This is like trying to negotiate with the Nazis in World War II. You just don’t,” he added. “You beat them. You defeat them. You eradicate them."