His name, which briefly crossed American borders during the presidential campaigns of 2008 and 2016, when he was running for the Republican nomination, should not take long to establish itself in the debate in the Middle East. Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas (1996-2007), was nominated by Donald Trump for the position of US ambassador to Israel. Since the Senate is won by the Republicans, the nomination of this fervent supporter of the Jewish state should be validated without difficulty.
“He worships Israel and the people of Israel and, reciprocally, the people of Israel worship him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring peace to the Middle East! »said the president-elect, who knows the Huckabee clan well: Sarah Huckabee Sanders was White House spokeswoman between May 2017 and June 2019, before being elected at the end of 2022, like her father, governor of very republican Arkansas.
At 69, Mike Huckabee said Wednesday, in his first interview since his appointment, on Israeli Army Radio that he will not determine U.S. Israel policy. “I will implement the president’s decision”he said, while maintaining that he did “of course possible” that Washington supports the annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories.
“There are no real Palestinians”
Mike Huckabee is already following in the footsteps of his predecessor during the first Trump administration. For four years, David Friedman has actively contributed to the reshaping of US Israel policy, through the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017, the relocation of the embassy a year later, and the recognition of the sovereignty of Israeli forces in the Golan Heights .
“No one has done more than President Trump. And I expect this to continue.”added Mike Huckabee, who hosted his own “Huckabee” show on Fox News for thirteen years.
More than a friend of Israel, this former Baptist pastor – the first non-Jewish ambassador to hold this post since James Cunningham in 2008 under George W. Bush – is an ardent defender of colonization and a virulent opponent of the creation of a Palestinian state. For him – as for the current minister Bezalel Smotrich – the Palestinian people does not exist.
In 2008, Mike Huckabee was filmed by Buzzfeed media telling a rabbi at a campaign event in Massachusetts: “I have to be careful what I say, because people get really angry, but in reality there are no Palestinians. It was a political tool to try to take land away from Israel. »
In early January 2017, the former governor attended a ceremony in Maale Adumim, one of Israel’s largest settlements, located east of Jerusalem, during which he laid the foundation stone for a new neighborhood, in front of a banner with the words “Build Israel Great Again”. , in a nod to Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again.” The opportunity for him to underline how the Israeli policy of Donald Trump, newly elected, would be different from that of Barack Obama.
Also an opportunity to contest the use of the terms “settlements” and “West Bank” in front of CNN cameras. “There are some words I refuse to use, he explained. The West Bank does not exist. This is Judea and Samaria. Colonies don’t exist. These are communities, neighborhoods, cities. Employment does not exist. »
“With him we will consolidate our hold”
Although he has no experience in diplomacy, Mike Huckabee knows Israel very well. For years he has been going there several times a year, especially as a tour guide in the Holy Land, the last time in May with the travel agency Senior Adult Travel.
With such a pedigree, Mike Huckabee’s appointment already smells like victory for Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long been working to strengthen ties with American evangelicals. His far-right and religious Zionist allies within the government made no secret of their jubilation.
“With him we will strengthen Israel’s security and strength and consolidate our grip on all its spaces”reacted the Minister of Finance, responsible for civil management in the West Bank, Bezalel Smotrich. His national security colleague Itamar Ben Gvir published Mike Huckabee’s name with a heart between the Israeli and American flags on the social network
In addition to his future ambassador to Israel, Donald Trump has nominated the person who will be his special envoy for the Middle East: Steven Witkoff, a New York investor specializing in real estate, who has raised huge funds for the Republican campaign, especially among Jews voters. Another choice that outlines the already explicit contours of Donald Trump’s future Israeli policy.
What impact could Mike Huckabee’s nomination as U.S. ambassador to Israel have on U.S.-Palestinian relations?
Time.news Editor: Good morning, and welcome to our special segment where we discuss key appointments affecting U.S. foreign policy. Today, we have the honor of speaking with Dr. Samuel Rosen, a leading expert on Middle Eastern politics and a professor at the International Relations Institute. Dr. Rosen, thank you for joining us today!
Dr. Samuel Rosen: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive right in. Mike Huckabee has been nominated as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. What is your initial reaction to this appointment?
Dr. Samuel Rosen: Well, it’s certainly a significant choice. Huckabee is a well-known figure with a strong pro-Israel stance, and his nomination reflects the ongoing trend in U.S. foreign policy to align closely with the interests of Israel. His past comments suggest he has a very polarizing viewpoint on issues concerning Palestinians.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, he’s been quoted saying, “there are no real Palestinians,” which indicates a very particular worldview. How do you think this perspective will affect Palestinian representation in negotiations?
Dr. Samuel Rosen: Huckabee’s view minimizes the identity and rights of Palestinians, which is unlikely to facilitate any genuine dialogue toward peace. It tends to further entrench divisions rather than promote understanding, which is crucial for any hope of a two-state solution. His appointment signals that the U.S. may not prioritize Palestinian rights under his watch.
Time.news Editor: President Trump praised Huckabee as someone who “worships Israel” and believes Huckabee will “work tirelessly to bring peace to the Middle East.” Given Huckabee’s strong pro-Israeli stance, do you think this perspective aligns with realistic peace-building efforts?
Dr. Samuel Rosen: It’s a complex situation. While Huckabee’s dedication to Israel may resonate well with certain political factions in the U.S., the reality is that sustainable peace requires concessions and willingness to recognize the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. A one-sided approach often exacerbates tensions and instability in the region.
Time.news Editor: Huckabee has stated that he will implement the president’s policies. However, do you foresee any potential challenges Huckabee might face in filling this role, considering the current geopolitical climate?
Dr. Samuel Rosen: Absolutely. The geopolitical landscape is dynamic, with rising tensions in areas like Gaza and ongoing settlement expansions. If Huckabee is to succeed in this position, he will need to navigate these challenges carefully. His support for annexation and settlements could provoke backlash not just from Palestinian groups but also from international stakeholders and allies, potentially isolating the U.S. in some respects.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the settlements. Huckabee has previously laid the foundation stone for a new neighborhood in a settlement, which raises concerns regarding international law. How does this affect Israel’s standing in the world?
Dr. Samuel Rosen: Internationally, settlement expansion has been widely condemned, and it complicates Israel’s diplomatic relations, particularly with European nations. Huckabee’s actions and rhetoric might be embraced by some in the U.S., but they further alienate Israel from a broader international consensus advocating for peace based on negotiations rather than unilateral actions.
Time.news Editor: As a former Baptist pastor, Huckabee brings a unique identity to the role of ambassador. Do you believe this has implications for U.S.-Israel relations, especially regarding religious sentiments?
Dr. Samuel Rosen: Certainly. His religious background may play into a portion of the U.S. evangelical community that fervently supports Israel, which can influence domestic political dynamics. However, this also complicates the secular aspects of U.S. foreign policy, making it imperative for Huckabee to tread carefully in engaging with diverse perspectives within both Israeli and Palestinian societies.
Time.news Editor: what advice would you give a newly appointed ambassador in such a delicate and charged environment?
Dr. Samuel Rosen: I would suggest that the ambassador prioritize diplomacy and engage with a broad spectrum of voices within the region. Listening and understanding both Israeli and Palestinian concerns, rather than asserting a one-dimensional narrative, would be key to building trust and possibly paving the way for meaningful dialogue and eventual peace.
Time.news Editor: Dr. Rosen, thank you for sharing your insights today. This has been an enlightening discussion on the implications of Mike Huckabee’s nomination and what it means for the future of U.S.-Israel relations.
Dr. Samuel Rosen: Thank you! It was a pleasure to discuss these critical issues with you.
