Arkansans react to plan for Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he planned to nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel.
“I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, has been nominated to be The United States Ambassador to Israel,” Trump said in a press release Tuesday.
“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. 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 was the governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007 and ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2015. He’s also the father of current Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who started her political career working on his gubernatorial reelection campaign in 2002. She later served as Trump’s press secretary.
An evangelical Christian and strong supporter of Israel in its year-long offensive in Gaza, Huckabee has voiced opposition to the idea of a negotiated ceasefire between the Israeli military and the Palestinian militant group Hamas even as the conflict threatens to expand into a regional war.
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Haaretz reported that Huckabee was considered for the role in 2016 and had expressed support for expansion of Israeli settlements and annexation of the West Bank at the time.
Sanders celebrated the news on X, formerly Twitter, writing that she was “unbelievably proud” that Trump “nominated my dad” as ambassador.
“I went to Israel for the first time with my dad when I was eleven and it changed my life,” she said. “There is no one President Trump could have picked with a greater love for the Israeli people and commitment to the unbreakable bond between America and Israel than him. Love you dad!”
Members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation weighed in as well.
“Congratulations to former Governor Mike Huckabee on his selection as U.S. Ambassador to Israel,” U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, said in a written statement Tuesday. “Mike is a dear friend who deeply understands the importance of our relationship with the Jewish State. He will work tirelessly to protect and strengthen that bond. I look forward to supporting his nomination.”
Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill said in a Tuesday X post that “my longtime friend @GovMikeHuckabee is an outstanding choice for US Ambassador to Israel. He was a terrific Governor of Arkansas and will continue his public service in working to ensure peace in the region.”
Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Womack said on X, “I’m excited that @realDonaldTrump has nominated my friend @GovMikeHuckabee as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel! Fantastic choice by President Trump. Mike was an effective governor for the great state of Arkansas and will serve our nation well by working to support America’s greatest ally in the Middle East. His support for Israel is impeccable. Congratulations, @GovMikeHuckabee!”
Joey Garrison contributed to the reporting of this story.