Washington — President-elect Donald Trump introduced Tuesday that he has chosen former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to function the U.S. ambassador to Israel.
“Mike has been an awesome public servant, governor, and chief in religion for a few years,” Trump mentioned in an announcement. “He loves Israel, and the individuals of Israel, and likewise, the individuals of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to result in Peace within the Center East!”
The put up requires approval by the Senate, although Huckabee is unlikely to face main obstacles to affirmation within the higher chamber, the place Republicans are anticipated to carry a minimum of 52 seats within the subsequent Congress.
Huckabee is among the many early picks introduced by the president-elect as he begins constructing out his Cupboard and different key posts. Amongst these are Rep. Elise Stefanik as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Rep. Michael Waltz as nationwide safety adviser. Sources say he’s anticipated to faucet Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, although the choice just isn’t finalized.
Huckabee served as Arkansas’ governor from 1996 to 2007 and unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016. After leaving workplace, he hosted a present on Fox Information and a radio program. He’s a staunch defender of Israel and has mentioned he has visited the nation greater than 100 instances over the course of fifty years.
Throughout his first time period, Trump moved the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem throughout his first time period, which President Biden maintained.
If confirmed subsequent yr, Huckabee will take over the put up amid Isreal’s battle with Hamas and Hamas’ holding of dozens of Israeli hostages, together with 4 Americans. Discussions a few cease-fire between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly stalled, and on Saturday, Qatar, a mediator with Hamas, introduced it had suspended its efforts and would resume them when “the events present their willingness and seriousness to finish the brutal battle and the continued struggling of civilians.”
Sen. Invoice Hagerty, a Republican from Tennessee, mentioned in an interview with “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Sunday that he believes “the atmosphere has completely modified” following Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris final week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned he has spoken with Trump thrice in latest days and referred to as the conversations “good and essential.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with Mr. Biden on the White Home on Tuesday.
Greater than 1,200 civilians had been killed and 250 had been kidnapped when Hamas launched its terror assaults on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Roughly 100 hostages are believed to be nonetheless in Gaza, though a 3rd are regarded as lifeless. Greater than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive, in line with the Hamas-run well being ministry, although it’s unclear what number of are civilians and what number of are militants.
Following the beginning of Israel’s battle with Hamas, Iran-allied Hezbollah, started firing rockets, missiles and drones from Lebanon into Israel.
