Trump Picks Huckabee for Israel Ambassador, Witkoff for Middle East Envoy, Signaling Hardline Stance
President-elect Donald Trump has announced his picks for two key positions in the Middle East, signaling a continuation of his hardline stance on Israel and a potential shift away from the more cautious approach of the Biden administration, Al Jazeera reports.
Trump has nominated former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to serve as US ambassador to Israel. Known for his evangelical Christian beliefs and strong pro-Israel stance, Huckabee has repeatedly cited the Bible to argue that the occupied West Bank is part of Israeli territory. He has also attended fundraisers in illegal Israeli settlements, calling the territory “Judea and Samaria.”
Huckabee’s daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as Trump’s press secretary during his first term.
In a separate announcement, Trump named real estate tycoon Steven Witkoff as his special envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff, a frequent golfing companion of Trump, has no prior diplomatic or foreign policy experience. His appointment has been praised for his business acumen, but critics point to the lack of experience in international affairs.
The appointments come as Trump has pledged to maintain steadfast support for Israel, while simultaneously pursuing efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Arab countries in the region. His first term saw the implementation of the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. However, these accords have been criticized for failing to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Trump’s choices for these key positions have raised concerns among some critics, who fear a further shift towards a more pro-Israel stance than that of the Biden administration. While President Biden has denounced illegal Israeli settlements and imposed sanctions on some settlers, he has largely refrained from criticizing Israel for human rights abuses. In contrast, Trump moved the US embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, and has consistently supported Israel in international disputes.
The appointment of Huckabee and Witkoff suggests a potential continuation of Trump’s pro-Israel policies, with a focus on further normalizing relations with Arab countries. However, the lack of a peace plan for the Israel-Palestinian conflict remains a significant concern, as the ongoing war in Gaza continues to claim lives.
The appointments also highlight Trump’s preference for appointing loyal allies to key positions. During his first term, he appointed Jason Greenblatt, his former corporate lawyer, as his special representative for international negotiations, and relied heavily on his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who has extensive business ties to the Middle East.
