The newly elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, said that he intends to nominate the former governor of the state of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, for the position of ambassador of the United States to Israel.
If confirmed, Huckabee will come to Jerusalem to confront the more than a year-long conflict in Gaza and Lebanon. During the election campaign, Trump, a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, promised to end the conflict.
Peace talks between Israel and Hamas Qatar has stopped in recent days after abandoning its meditation efforts. Huckabee is likely to be at the center of international pressure on the US to broker a ceasefire deal.
Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post on Tuesday, nominating his longtime loyalist and former rival for the 2016 Republican nomination. Huckabee, who is the host of the TV talk show of the same name, campaigned for Trump this cycle and crossed paths with the former president. , including in the final throes of the Pennsylvania race on the battlefield.
“I am pleased to announce the nomination of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to serve as United States Ambassador to Israel,” Trump said.
“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. Mike will work tirelessly to bring Peace to the Middle East!”
In a statement congratulating Huckabee, the Republican Jewish Coalition hailed the former governor as a “longtime friend” of the group, praised the former governor’s “great love for Israel” and promised that his appointment would “further strengthen US-Israel relations.” greater peaks”.
Huckabee’s daughter, current Arkansas governor and former Trump administration official Sarah Huckabee Sanders, has also been Trump’s primary surrogate.
More than 40,000 people were killed in Gaza after Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Gaza health officials. 1,200 people were killed in the attack by Hamas, and more than 250 people, including American citizens, were taken hostage.