President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is his pick for the next U.S. ambassador to Israel.
“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump stated. “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!”
🚨STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/QRiV2J7Ef8
— Karoline Leavitt (@kleavittnh) November 12, 2024
Huckabee, a former Baptist preacher, has long supported Israel. The Associated Press reported that David Friedman, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Israel during his first term, was “thrilled” with the choice of Huckabee.
Huckabee endorsed Trump’s candidacy in 2016 after exiting the Republican primary and supported him again this election cycle. In December 2023, The Jerusalem Post reported that Huckabee had toured Israeli southern border communities affected by the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.
In regard to Trump’s stance on Israel, Huckabee told The Jerusalem Post, “I think the best thing you can say about Trump is that he’s the guy that moved the [US] Embassy [from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem], who recognized the Golan Heights, who recognized Jerusalem as the eternal capital, and got the Abraham Accords signed. I don’t know what else he could do to show his absolute support for Israel.”
Christian author and humanitarian Joel Rosenberg shared his support for Huckabee’s appointment on X, writing, “I could not be more thrilled that my good friend — and fellow [Trinity Broadcasting Network] anchor — [Mike Huckabee] is going to be the next American ambassador to Israel. This fantastic news — congratulations, Mike — can’t wait to welcome you back to Jerusalem!”
I could not be more thrilled that my good friend — and fellow @TBN anchor — @GovMikeHuckabee is going to be the next American ambassador to Israel. This fantastic news — congratulations, Mike — can’t wait to welcome you back to Jerusalem! @all_israel_news pic.twitter.com/3hwYXDR7q0
— Joel C. Rosenberg (@JoelCRosenberg) November 12, 2024
I could not be more thrilled that my good friend — and fellow @TBN anchor — @GovMikeHuckabee is going to be the next American ambassador to Israel. This fantastic news — congratulations, Mike — can’t wait to welcome you back to Jerusalem! @all_israel_news pic.twitter.com/3hwYXDR7q0
— Joel C. Rosenberg (@JoelCRosenberg) November 12, 2024
Alongside Huckabee’s appointment, Trump has nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik, also a strong supporter of Israel, spoke before Israel’s Knesset in the spring and has been a leading voice against anti-Semitism on U.S. college campuses.
