Washington (AP) - President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, is set to face a confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill as U.S. and Arab mediators strive to restore a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. This follows a recent escalation in the conflict, marked by a wave of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
Trump nominated Huckabee, a prominent evangelical Christian and staunch supporter of Israel, shortly after winning reelection. Huckabee’s confirmation could contribute to a complicated and unstable situation in the Middle East, as his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict diverge significantly from longstanding U.S. policies. Historically, Huckabee has expressed support for Israeli annexation of the West Bank and has advocated for referring to this area by its biblical name, “Judea and Samaria.” Such terminology is preferred by right-wing Israeli politicians but has not gained traction with previous U.S. administrations.
Significantly, Huckabee has opposed a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinian people. He has controversially claimed that the term “Palestinians” was co-opted by Yasser Arafat and disputed the existence of a distinct Palestinian identity. Huckabee labeled himself as an “unapologetic, unreformed Zionist” in an interview, indicating his strong support for Israel's claims to the land.
The deterioration of the situation in Gaza, particularly recent hostilities and the failure of ceasefire negotiations, has led Israeli officials to consider reoccupation of the territory. This move is opposed by the Biden administration, which has endorsed a different approach to the region. Moreover, President Trump has proposed the idea of a U.S. takeover of Gaza, drawing criticism from several Arab nations and other international actors.
During the confirmation hearing, Huckabee is expected to be questioned on various pressing issues, including Israel's military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon and ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed groups, such as the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Huckabee's prepared remarks for the hearing omit specific references to annexation and Trump’s Gaza proposal but will likely reflect support for these concepts, as he criticizes previous Middle Eastern policies as “failed” and suggests exploring new methods for promoting peace.
Huckabee aims to emphasize Trump's Israel policies during his first term, which he views as pivotal for Israel and the Middle East, particularly noting the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, and the Abraham Accords that facilitated normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
In addition to Huckabee's hearing, Kevin Cabrera, Trump's nominee for ambassador to Panama, will also testify before the committee. Cabrera's nomination comes amid tensions surrounding the Panama Canal, with Trump repeatedly advocating for U.S. oversight of the waterway in light of security concerns regarding China. Cabrera intends to highlight the Panamanian government's decision to withdraw from China's Belt and Road Initiative and its ongoing review of contracts with a China-based company running ports at both ends of the canal.
In his prepared remarks, Cabrera will stress the importance of the Panama Canal for global trade and economic growth and will commend the actions taken by Panama in relation to its agreements with China, emphasizing the significance of U.S.-Panama cooperation.
