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Trump appoints Mike Huckabee as US ambassador to Israel

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WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday he is naming former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as his U.S. ambassador to Israel.

“Mike was a great public servant, governor and faith leader for many years,” Trump said in a statement. “He loves Israel and the people of Israel, and the people of Israel love him in the same way. Mike will work tirelessly to bring peace to the Middle East!”

Trump has expressed his unwavering support for Israel more than a year after the start of its Gaza war following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. As president, Trump moved the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and was seen as a strong ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Huckabee, a Baptist minister and former Fox News host, served as governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for president in 2008 and against Trump in 2016. Huckabee currently hosts a show on religious broadcaster TBN.

Huckabee's daughter, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary during Trump's first presidency.

Trump has filled at least seven other positions since his White House victory.

The new Republican president's appointments include his senior 2024 campaign adviser, Susie Wiles, as White House chief of staff; Elise Stefanik named U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; longtime immigration adviser Stephen Miller to deputy chief of staff for policy; Tom Homan was selected to oversee deportation policy and flight safety. former New York congressman Lee Zeldin is named head of the Environmental Protection Agency; and Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser.

This is developing news.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.

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