Mike Huckabee confirmed as US ambassador to Israel

Evangelical Christian and former discuss present host Mike Huckabee has been confirmed as the brand new US ambassador to Israel.

The previous Arkansas governor has lengthy been a fervent supporter of Israel. He strongly backs Jewish settlements within the Palestinian territories, that are thought of unlawful beneath worldwide legislation – although Israel rejects this.

“It is a nice day for the Israeli-American alliance,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned, becoming a member of different members of his authorities in celebrating the result of Wednesday’s vote.

The Senate backed Huckabee by 53 to 46, largely alongside occasion strains, with just one Democrat, John Fetterman, supporting him.

Many Democrats have, nevertheless, been vital of his earlier statements concerning the ongoing warfare in Gaza.

Democratic Senator Jerry Nadler final month mentioned Huckabee was “woefully unfit” for the position.

Nadler additionally accused him of partaking in “brazen denial of the existence of the Palestinian individuals”, referencing a 2017 information convention the place Huckabee mentioned there was “no such factor as a Palestinian”.

Huckabee takes up his submit at a time when there’s little signal of any settlement on a contemporary ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the remaining hostages.

He has additionally incessantly expressed his assist for annexing the occupied West Financial institution, with far-right politicians in Israel calling this 12 months for Israeli sovereignty to be prolonged there.

However throughout his questioning by a Senate committee, he sought to minimize a few of his previous statements, saying he would “perform the president’s priorities”, not his, and denied backing the expulsion of Palestinians.

Israeli International Minister Gideon Sa’ar mentioned Huckabee’s appointment would “strengthen the unbreakable bond between our nations”, following a cellphone name between the 2.

Israel’s prime minister additionally shared his congratulations, describing Huckabee as a “pricey good friend” in a submit on X.

Netanyahu has simply returned from Washington the place he stood subsequent to US President Donald Trump as he informed the world he was conducting direct talks with Iran – Israel’s principal regional adversary – and praised Turkey’s President Erdogan – whom Israel regards as a possible menace within the remaking of Syria.

Talking on Wednesday, the Trump mentioned Huckabee would “be unbelievable” in his new position.

“He’ll deliver house the bacon,” he mentioned from the Oval Workplace, “though bacon is not too large in Israel. I needed to clear that up.”