Photo: Alamy
The Senate confirmed former Arkansas Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee as the Trump administration’s U.S. Ambassador to Israel on Wednesday.
Huckabee passed in a 53-46 vote, securing another Trump victory with the former governor and long-time supporter of Israel.
“The Zionist Organization of America celebrates our close friend Gov. Mike Huckabee’s confirmation as the new U.S. Ambassador to Israel,” ZOA President Morton Klein said in a statement.
“Huckabee has a powerful understanding of the complexities of the Arab Islamic war against Israel and the West; of the holiness of Judea/Samaria to the Jewish people and the danger of creating a Palestinian Arab terrorist state which pays Arabs to murder Jews,” he added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his congratulations to Huckabee on Wednesday.
“Congratulations to my dear friend @GovMikeHuckabee upon being confirmed as the next ambassador of the United States to Israel. This is a great day for the Israeli – American alliance,” Netanyahu posted to X.
Huckabee responded to the prime minister’s post with, “Thank you @IsraeliPM and I look forward to working with you as we pray for the ‘Peace of Jerusalem!’”
The well-known evangelical leader and former pastor stated during his confirmation hearing that he intends to implement the president’s priorities in his role.
“If confirmed, it will be my responsibility to carry out the president’s priorities, not mine,” Huckabee said.
Trump shared strong words of support for Huckabee when he announced his nomination in November.
“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump said in a statement. “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”
Huckabee also posted to X following the announcement.
“It’s been incredible day as @realDonaldTrump asked me to serve as Ambassador to @Israel a land I have been visiting since 1973 when I was a teenager. It will be a privilege to serve my country and my President in this role,” he wrote.