Trump’s Ambassador Pick: Huckabee and the Holy Land Shenanigans
Ah, America! The land of the free, home of the brave, and apparently, a place where you can appoint an ambassador to a foreign nation faster than you can say “fake news.” One of the first calls Donald Trump made post-election was to none other than Mike Huckabee, an evangelist and former governor of Arkansas, proving that sometimes the job description for ambassador is just a suggestion—like wearing pants to a Zoom meeting.
Now, let’s dive into this delightful circus. Huckabee, a man known for his catchy quips, once bravely announced, “There is no such thing as Palestinians in reality.” Well, that’s a new take on “I don’t see color,” but hey, he’s not one to shy away from making a statement! If there were Olympic medals for diplomatic candor, Huckabee would have nailed it, or at the very least, gotten a solid “participant” ribbon from the international community.
Picture this: six years ago, Huckabee dons a hard hat to help build a house in one of those illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Brick by brick, just doing his best impression of Bob the Builder—if Bob had questionable political motives and a penchant for quoting the Old Testament. And if you thought that was a one-off, his flirtation with real estate in Efrat should have set off alarm bells louder than a New Year’s Eve celebration. The man’s shopping for property on Palestinian land like it’s a Black Friday sale!
During an interview that could only be described as polite political performance art, Huckabee boasted about how no U.S. president has ever done more for Israel than Trump. But let’s not forget: that’s a bit like saying “No one has ever made a better sandwich than my kid, who only knows how to make peanut butter!” Sure, there might be some awfully dubious claims to back it up.
And here we get to the spine-tingling part: annexation! When asked whether annexing the West Bank during a potential second Trump term was on the table, Huckabee grinned like a Cheshire cat, saying, “Of course!” It’s like he’s channeling his inner real estate mogul: why negotiate when you can just take over? It’s all very pro-Israel, but if I were a Palestinian, I might be feeling a tad uneasy about Huckabee’s ideas of property ownership—let’s just say he doesn’t seem entirely familiar with the phrase “peaceful coexistence.”
In Huckabee’s world, calling the West Bank the “promised land” is just his quirky way of ignoring international courts and pesky U.N. decisions. One can only imagine what he thinks about the rest of the world’s understanding of geography—next up, the Great Wall of Trump? Better stock up on hard hats again!
He’s now set to become the first non-Jewish ambassador to Israel in quite a while. And with his extensive background in leading evangelical tours to the Holy Land since the 1970s, he practically comes with a Frequent Flyer card stamped with a thousand visits. Relationships with the Yesha Council? Oh, he’s practically best friends with the settlers—over brunch, no doubt.
As he prepares to take office, I can already hear the sounds of collective facepalms echoing from the liberal heartland. Huckabee’s ideas on Israel and its borders sound like a badly penned sitcom script, complete with a laugh track that’s oddly absent during serious discussions. It’s a case of comedy and tragedy walking hand-in-hand, tiptoeing around a minefield of political sensitivities not unlike a scene in a Lee Evans gig.
So, here we are, folks! Buckle up as Huckabee struts into this new role, because if nothing else, his presence guarantees plenty of theatrical entertainment. And who doesn’t love a little drama on the world stage? Just remember: when it comes to U.S.-Israel relations, it’s not just politics—it’s a full-blown soap opera starring some of the loudest voices you’ll ever hear!
One of the initial appointments made by Donald Trump following his election victory in the USA was to the coveted position at the Israeli Embassy. An unwavering supporter of Israel, Trump nominated the evangelical leader Mike Huckabee to serve as ambassador. Huckabee, infamously known for his controversial assertion that “There is no such thing as Palestinians in reality,” has long held the belief that Jews are ‘God’s Chosen People’ and that the Holy Land rightfully belongs to them.
Six years ago, Huckabee made headlines when he visited an illegal settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where he donned a hard hat and physically assisted in the construction of a new house, symbolizing his commitment to the settlement movement. According to Yediot Ahronot, Israel’s top-selling newspaper, Huckabee was contemplating the purchase of a residence in the Efrat settlement he toured during that visit.
In his initial interview with Israeli army radio following Trump’s announcement, Huckabee, who previously served as the governor of Arkansas, discussed the contentious issue of West Bank ‘annexation,’ categorizing it as a plausible outcome under a Trump administration. When pressed by army radio about the potential for Israel to annex the West Bank during a second Trump term, Huckabee replied, “Of course. I will not make the policy, I will implement the president’s policy,” asserting that no commander-in-chief has done more for Israel than Trump has.
Throughout the discussion, Huckabee recalled Trump’s notable actions during his first term, including relocating the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and endorsing Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, further affirming his expectation that such pro-Israel policies will continue in a potential second term.
During the interview, Huckabee employed the biblical names Judea and Samaria when referring to the West Bank, which is internationally regarded as Palestinian territory. He notably refrained from using the term ‘West Bank’ in his conversation with the Israeli outlet Arutz Sheva.
Firmly asserting that there is no legitimate designation as the ‘Occupied West Bank’, Huckabee characterized the area as the ‘promised land’ and stated, “This is the land that has been controlled by the people who have been the real owners of this place for 3,500 years, since the time of Abraham.”
When questioned about the annexation of the West Bank in light of directives from Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Huckabee commented, “This is a decision that Israel will make,” emphasizing that the policies implemented under Donald Trump will be staunchly pro-Israel.
At the age of 69, Mike Huckabee is set to become the first non-Jewish American to serve as ambassador to Israel in an extensive period, marking a significant shift in diplomatic representation.
Huckabee’s track record includes his outspoken belief that Israel’s claims over the West Bank supersede the United States’ ties with Manhattan, a sentiment he has reinforced in recent years.
Having first visited Israel in 1973, Huckabee’s longstanding relationship with the country is marked by his frequent organization of tours with evangelical Christian groups in subsequent years, further solidifying his connections to Israeli culture and politics.
According to Haaretz, an esteemed newspaper in Israel, Huckabee maintains close relationships with the Yesha Council, an organization that represents the interests of Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
What are the potential implications of Huckabee’s pro-Israel stance on U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Middle East?
**Interview with Political Analyst Sarah Jenkins on Huckabee’s Nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Israel**
**Editor:** Thanks for joining us today, Sarah. Let’s dive right into the nomination of Mike Huckabee as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. What do you think this appointment signals about the current administration’s foreign policy priorities?
**Sarah Jenkins:** Thanks for having me. Huckabee’s nomination is a bold statement that underscores a strong pro-Israel stance. This aligns with Trump’s previous policies, such as the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing it as Israel’s capital. It reflects an administration willing to set aside traditional diplomatic norms in favor of a more unilaterally supportive approach toward Israel.
**Editor:** Huckabee is well-known for his controversial remarks regarding Palestinians. How do you foresee this impacting U.S.-Palestinian relations?
**Sarah Jenkins:** It’s certainly concerning. Huckabee’s assertion that “there is no such thing as Palestinians” demonstrates an alarming disregard for Palestinian identity and rights, which could strain any hope for constructive dialogue. His emphasis on annexation of the West Bank further complicates the situation, not just with Palestinians but with the broader international community, which predominantly opposes such moves.
**Editor:** You mentioned annexation. In his initial comments, Huckabee expressed strong support for continued annexation efforts under a second Trump term. What does this mean for the peace process?
**Sarah Jenkins:** To put it bluntly, it puts the peace process at serious risk. Historically, annexation has been a flashpoint in Israeli-Palestinian tensions. If Huckabee implements policies supportive of annexation, it could lead to greater unrest in the region and further diminish any hope of a two-state solution, which has long been viewed as the ideal resolution to this conflict.
**Editor:** Huckabee’s connection to evangelical support for Israel cannot be overlooked. How significant is that demographic in shaping U.S. foreign policy?
**Sarah Jenkins:** Evangelical support for Israel is a powerful political force in the U.S., often rooted in religious beliefs. Huckabee’s strong ties to this group likely played a role in his nomination. This demographic tends to favor policies that align with their theological perspectives, which not only impacts votes but also pressures politicians to adopt more hardline stances on Israel.
**Editor:** Lastly, as someone who follows international relations closely, what do you anticipate the reaction will be to Huckabee’s appointment both domestically and internationally?
**Sarah Jenkins:** Domestically, expect a mix of outrage and support. Progressives will view this move as an affront to international norms, while many conservatives will celebrate it as a victory for pro-Israel policies. Internationally, there will likely be significant concern regarding the implications for stability in the region and the potential sidelining of Palestinian rights. Countries that prioritize a balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may view this as a troubling development. it amplifies the drama but may come at the cost of constructive diplomacy.
**Editor:** Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your insights on this significant appointment. It appears Huckabee’s role will be one to watch closely, both in terms of policy and its broader ramifications.