Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Reactions from Israel are positive on the nomination of Mike Huckabee as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel.
“Mike has been a great public servant, governor and leader in faith for many years,” President-elect Donald Trump said, as reported by Metro Voice on Tuesday. “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.”
Huckabee, an Evangelical Christian, has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reportedly was considered for the top U.S. diplomatic post in Israel in 2016.
Huckabee is a vocal supporter of Israel who throughout his political career has framed his support for the U.S. ally in terms of his evangelical faith. He has supported the Israeli government’s efforts to expand settlements in the West Bank. More recently, he also has opposed efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, saying in June that the U.S. has “no valid reason” to support a deal between the two sides.
Samaria Regional Council mayor Yossi Dagan called and congratulated Huckabee after the announcement.
“The US has won and the State of Israel has won too. Mike Huckabee is a true leader, a smart man,” Dagan said in a statement that highlighted the nominee’s support for Israeli’s founding communities in the historic Israeli areas of Samaria and Judea.
In an article for the Jerusalem Post, Seth Frantzman wrote that Trump’s appointments, including Huckabee, will be a contrast to the Biden administration.
“The appointments so far indicate a strong team that will be tough on Iran and also strong on dealing with other US adversaries. Many of these appointments are also seen as very pro-Israel and deeply supportive of Israel’s struggles against Hamas, Hezbollah, and other enemies,” Frantzman stated.
The Republican Jewish Coalition stated they are “thrilled” with the choice.
“As a man of deep faith, we know Gov. Huckabee’s abounding love of Israel and its people is second to none,” the RJC said. “As the Jewish state continues to fight an existential war for survival against Iran and its terrorist proxies, Gov. Huckabee will represent America’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security with distinction.”
David Friedman, who served as the U.S. envoy to Israel during Trump’s first presidency said Huckabee is “a dear friend and he will have my full support. Congrats Mike on getting the best job in the world,” Friedman wrote.
“It speaks volumes to the importance and priority that President Trump places on the U.S.-Israel relationship that he selected his ambassador to Israel within one week of his election,” Friedman added. “The selection itself—Mike Huckabee is one of Israel’s greatest friends—tells us that the days of public daylight between the U.S. and Israel are about to end.”
In the past, Huckabee has said the quiet part out loud, say supporters, and during his 2008 presidential campaign stated, “there’s really no such thing as a Palestinian.” He expressed similar sentiments in 2015, telling “The Washington Post” that “the idea that they have a long history, dating back hundreds or thousands of years, is not true.”
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
