Trump picks former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump will appoint former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, Trump announced Tuesday.

Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his proposed nomination comes at a time when Trump has vowed to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as the country wages wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“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!”

Huckabee has led paid tour group visits to Israel for years, often promoting the trips in conservative-leaning news outlets.

David Friedman, who was Trump's ambassador to Israel in his first term, said he was “thrilled” with Trump's selection of Huckabee.