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Huckabee’s Appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Israel: Implications and Reactions

Donald Trump has stated that Mike Huckabee will “work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Yet, Huckabee appears cautious regarding his position following his nomination as Trump’s choice for U.S. ambassador to Israel. He clarified, “I won’t make the policy. I will carry out the policy of the president.”

Huckabee has hinted at the direction he believes U.S. policy will take, referring to significant moves made during Trump’s previous term, such as relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and formally recognizing the Golan Heights as part of Israel. These actions received enthusiastic support from Israeli hardliners but were met with strong opposition from Palestinian representatives.

In an interview with an Israeli radio station, Huckabee remarked, “No one has done more.” He and Trump expect those policies to persist in the future. Speculation surrounds how Trump will navigate the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, but Huckabee’s appointment is seen favorably by Israel’s right-wing factions, who anticipate continued American backing for their territorial ambitions in the West Bank.

The announcement of Huckabee’s appointment was celebrated by prominent far-right figures within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed his congratulations to Huckabee as a “consistent and loyal friend,” while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used social media to convey his support.

Huckabee’s Background and Views

Mike Huckabee has a well-documented history of supporting Israeli settlement activities. Notably, in 2011, he participated in a cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Israeli settlement of Beit Orot in occupied East Jerusalem. His remarks over the years highlight his stance against the concept of Israeli settlements, which he describes instead as “communities” and “neighborhoods.”

At a press conference in 2017 near a major Israeli settlement in the West Bank, Huckabee stated, “There’s no such thing as an occupation.” The following year, he argued that Israel holds rightful ownership of Judea and Samaria, the areas that encompass much of the West Bank, a claim rooted in contentious historical narratives.

The previous Trump administration diverged from decades of U.S. policy by announcing in 2019 that it did not categorize Israeli settlements as illegal. Such decisions have emboldened the far-right, which now views Huckabee’s nomination as a potential gateway to extending their influence and promoting policies like the annexation of the West Bank.

Future Implications of Huckabee’s Appointment

Israeli officials, such as Smotrich, have indicated ambitious plans for 2025, dubbing it “the year of sovereignty” in the West Bank. Smotrich has reportedly directed preparations for the annexation of areas occupied during the 1967 war. However, Palestinian leaders express serious concerns about the potential ramifications of such moves, fearing they could disrupt the international order and exacerbate existing tensions.

Mustafa Barghouti, a veteran Palestinian politician, articulated the global implications of annexation, noting, “You can imagine the reaction of other powerful countries… when the idea of annexing occupied territories becomes legal and acceptable. It’s not just about Palestinians and our suffering; it’s about the international order.”

Political Analysts Weigh In

The ultimate effect of Huckabee’s ambassadorial role on U.S. policy remains uncertain. Tal Schneider, a political correspondent for the Times of Israel, suggested that a pro-settlement ambassador does not automatically equate to pro-settlement policies emanating from Washington. Schneider reflected on past expectations surrounding Trump’s administration and expressed skepticism that Huckabee’s influence would lead to a shift in U.S. policy as envisioned by Israeli hardliners.

In tandem with Huckabee, Trump has also appointed Steve Witkoff as his special envoy to the Middle East. A real estate developer and close golf partner of Trump, Witkoff’s foreign policy credentials are unclear, though he has previously praised Trump’s approach toward Israel and characterized it as beneficial for regional stability.

As Netanyahu’s government promotes its hardline agenda, the nomination of individuals like Huckabee and Witkoff signals that the incoming administration may lean toward the right. This perspective deeply concerns Palestinians, who feel increasingly disillusioned with the U.S. stance amid ongoing violence and suffering in Gaza. Barghouti described Huckabee’s views as contradictory to international law, cautioning that such appointments may hinder actual peace efforts in the region.

Source
www.bbc.com