The elected president, Donald Trump, announced that he will appoint Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, as ambassador to Israel. Huckabee's selection comes amid Trump's intention to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests, which is facing conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Huckabee is known for his support of Israel and his commitment to peace in the Middle East. He has organized paid tourist group visits to Israel for years, being a frequent advocate for the country in conservative media. David Friedman, who served as U.S. ambassador to Israel during Trump's first term, expressed enthusiasm for the decision to nominate Huckabee.
In a statement, Trump praised Huckabee as a great public servant, governor, and leader in faith. He highlighted that the former governor has a deep love for Israel and its people, as well as a high appreciation from the Israeli community for him. Huckabee, for his part, shows a willingness to work tirelessly to achieve peace in the region and strengthen ties between the United States and Israel.
