Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, Republican presidential contender and Baptist minister, was confirmed as ambassador to Israel by a vote of 53 to 46 on Tuesday, with senators largely divided alongside occasion strains.
President Trump introduced Mr. Huckabee as his nominee for the position shortly after the election in November. “He loves Israel and the individuals of Israel,” the president-elect stated, “and likewise, the individuals of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to result in Peace within the Center East.”
However the nomination prompted an outcry from some Democrats and others on the left. Lawmakers, lobbyists and religion teams of varied denominations raised objections, saying his positions on Israel and on Palestinians’ identification and nationwide aspirations are divisive and undermine American pursuits. Just one Democrat, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a staunch and outspoken supporter of Israel, crossed occasion strains to vote for Mr. Huckabee.
Right here’s what you want to find out about Mr. Huckabee’s place on Israel, Palestinians and the conflicts within the area.
What are his ties to Israel?
At his nomination listening to, Mr. Huckabee stated that his first journey to Israel was in 1973 and that he had been moved by the expertise. He described Israel as “holy floor to Jews, Christians and Muslims.”
His help for Israel is rooted in his perception that God made a covenant with the Jews within the Previous Testomony, giving them a declare to the land that stands. In 1981, Mr. Huckabee started main journeys to Israel and has taken about 10,000 individuals there within the years since, he instructed senators, visiting the nation about 100 occasions.
What has he stated about Palestinians?
In 2008, on the presidential campaign trail in Massachusetts, Mr. Huckabee stated “there is no such thing as a such factor as a Palestinian,” calling the identification “a political software to attempt to pressure land away from Israel.”
Mr. Huckabee is a staunch supporter of the Israeli settlement motion. On a 2018 go to, he participated in a groundbreaking ceremony in a settlement and stated he “might want to purchase a holiday home” there.
In 2015, whereas he was working for president a second time and was in Jerusalem, he rejected the phrases “occupied” and “West Financial institution” when talking to reporters. As an alternative, he referred to the territory as “Judea and Samaria,” using the biblical name of the realm to bolster Israel’s declare to the land. He has backed Israeli annexation of the West Financial institution.
At his nomination listening to earlier than the Senate Overseas Relations Committee, Mr. Huckabee was questioned by Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the highest Democrat on the committee, about his “extremely incendiary” statements.
He declined “to articulate and even defend” his views, he stated, noting that he could be advancing administration insurance policies, not his positions.
When questioned about Mr. Trump’s assertion in February that the USA may take over the Gaza Strip and Palestinians would transfer to neighboring nations, Mr. Huckabee stated the president didn’t imply “pressured displacement.”
“They shouldn’t be pressured” out, he stated. Mr. Trump, he stated, was speaking about discovering individuals “secure haven.”
When requested concerning the warfare between Israel and Hamas and its impact on civilians in Gaza, Mr. Huckabee dismissed issues about Israel’s decision to cut off aid coming into the enclave in early March, saying “huge provides” had entered. He additionally expressed help for the Israeli navy’s use of American-supplied heavy bombs.
Mr. Huckabee has lengthy rejected the institution of a Palestinian state. His supporters, just like the America First Coverage Institute, a right-wing coverage group, level to his opposition to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian battle as a cause to embrace him.
What do critics say?
Greater than 65 leftist, faith-based and human rights organizations urged senators to reject the number of Mr. Huckabee. Amongst them had been Christian, Jewish and Muslim teams that stated “his appointment would embolden those that oppose peace and gasoline additional division, relatively than encouraging constructive dialogue and understanding.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations despatched senators a letter in February outlining a “historical past of anti-Muslim statements and inflammatory rhetoric” by Mr. Huckabee.
What do supporters say?
The State Division, in a February assertion on Mr. Huckabee’s nomination for the ambassador position, famous that he’s “a distinguished politician, commentator, creator, and public speaker” with a big observe report in public service and within the tradition.
Mr. Huckabee’s champions say his report, and his alignment with the Trump administration agenda, make him the correct man for the ambassadorship.
He was governor of Arkansas from 1996 till 2007 and “left a legacy of tax cuts, job creation, the reconstruction of his state’s highway system, Ok-16 schooling reform, and a nationally heralded and duplicated well being initiative that targeted on prevention,” the State Division stated.
He ran for president in 2008 and 2016, and has been widespread with Republicans, ending second within the Republican nominating contest in 2008.
From 2017 till early this 12 months, he was the host of “Huckabee,” a weekend tv present on the Trinity Broadcasting Community, which calls itself the world’s largest Christian tv community.
Born in Hope, Ark., in 1955, he graduated from Hope Excessive Faculty in 1973. By then, he was already dedicated to changing into a pastor.
Mr. Huckabee graduated from Ouachita Baptist College in Arkansas in 1975 and obtained a master’s degree from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1980.
Addressing senators on Tuesday forward of the vote, the Senate majority leader, John Thune, stated Mr. Huckabee’s affirmation, and Republican help for Israel, was notably essential with Israel at warfare. “President Trump has made it clear that the USA stands squarely in Israel’s nook,” he stated.
”Ambassador Huckabee might be a robust and supportive voice for Israel and for America’s pursuits from his submit in Jerusalem might be a robust and supportive voice for Israel and for America’s pursuits from his submit in Jerusalem,” he stated.
