President-elect Trump announced Tuesday that former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has been selected to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel in the Trump administration.
Mr. Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, is among a growing list of strong Israel supporters announced or reported to be sworn into the incoming Trump administration. President Trump has vowed to strengthen ties with Israel, which is at war with Iran-backed terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
“I am pleased to announce that the highly respected former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, has been nominated to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Israel,” President Trump said in a statement.
“Mike has been a great public servant, governor, and faith leader for many years. He loves Israel and the people of Israel, and the people of Israel love him as well. We will continue to work tirelessly towards this goal.” East! “
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Mike Huckabee speaks with Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during a community roundtable held at the Delaware County Drexelbrook Catering and Event Center on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. (Javin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Mr. Huckabee served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He previously sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, winning an unexpected victory in the 2008 Iowa caucuses. In between presidential campaigns, Mr. Huckabee hosted the Fox News show “Huckabee” from 2008 to 2015.
He is the father of current Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and previously served as White House press secretary in the first Trump administration.
Sanders said he was “incredibly proud” to learn that his father had been nominated to serve in the Trump administration.
“When I was 11 years old, I went to Israel for the first time with my father, and it changed my life. There is no one I would have chosen to have more than him.'' “I love you Dad!'' she wrote on X.
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Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee moderates a roundtable discussion with Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump at the Drexelbrook Catering and Event Center in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, on October 29, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Mr. Huckabee has led paid tour group visits to Israel for years and frequently promoted the trips in conservative-leaning news outlets. He has defended Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and in 2008 publicly expressed skepticism about the movement to establish a Palestinian state, saying, “There is no such thing as a Palestinian people.''
He reiterated that claim in a 2015 interview with The Washington Post, saying, “The idea that they have a long history going back hundreds or thousands of years is not true.”
David Friedman, who served as ambassador to Israel during President Trump's first term, said in a statement that he was “thrilled” by Huckabee's nomination.
“He is a dear friend and will have my full support,” Friedman said. “Mike, congratulations on landing the best job in the world!”
World leaders react to Trump's victory
In this handout image provided by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with U.S. Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckbee in Jerusalem, Israel, on August 19, 2015. I am doing it. During his visit, Huckabee caused controversy by referring to the Palestinian territories in the West Bank as part of Israel. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO via Getty Images)
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the appointment in a statement.
“I look forward to working with you to strengthen the bonds between our people,” said Mr. Searle. “As long-time friends of Israel and our eternal capital, Jerusalem, we hope you will feel very at home.”
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Mr. Huckabee's nomination follows the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to be the next U.N. ambassador and the nomination of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be the next U.N. ambassador to Israel's allies in the incoming Trump administration. Will be added to the list. of the state.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
