Mike Huckabee Appointed U.S. Ambassador to Israel

Donald Trump has nominated former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the U.S. ambassador to Israel, a decision that has sparked controversy due to Huckabee's vehement support for Israel and opposition to Palestinian statehood. Huckabee, an evangelical Christian, has previously denied the existence of a Palestinian identity and insists that the West Bank, which he refers to as Judea and Samaria, is rightfully Israeli territory. Palestinian Greek Orthodox Archbishop Atallah Hanna criticized Huckabee's appointment as 'regrettable,' arguing that his views misrepresent Christian teachings and ignore the historical existence of Palestine. Huckabee claims his motivation for the role is to secure Israel's safety and expand Trump's Abraham Accords, emphasizing that his commitment to Israel is deeply personal. Critics fear that Huckabee's appointment may exacerbate tensions in the region, given his controversial stances. Trump has praised Huckabee, asserting that he will work tirelessly for peace in the Middle East.