Latest news with #MikeHuckabee
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Decoding Huckabee's contradictory statements
Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, is a self-professed Christian Zionist who unconditionally supports the state of Israel. That is a large part of why he was considered by President Donald Trump as a candidate to be US envoy to Israel. But for a short while this month, it seemed Huckabee had momentarily forgotten his hard-line ideological positions — including his refusal to use the term 'West Bank' and his general denial of Palestinian nationalism. He has consistently referred to the Occupied Territories using the biblical term 'Judea and Samaria.' Yet when an American citizen was killed by violent Jewish settlers and a Palestinian Christian village came under settler arson attacks, Huckabee suddenly seemed to remember that he represents the US in Israel, not the other way round. His visit to the village of Taybeh prompted a surprisingly strong statement, in which he labeled the settler attacks as acts of 'terrorism.' Speaking to the mayor and a group of leading citizens — including Palestinian American businessmen Daoud and Nadim Khoury, founders of the Taybeh Brewery — Huckabee said that, as an American envoy, he represents all Americans. After learning that settlers illegally occupy 7,000 dunams of privately owned village land and regularly attack Taybeh, he called for a strong response to the settler violence. He also condemned attacks on houses of worship and urged that the settler criminals be 'aggressively investigated … not just reprimanded, that's not enough.' Huckabee followed his July 19 visit to Taybeh with an even more politically significant set of meetings. He traveled to Ramallah and met with Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh at the presidential headquarters. He also met with Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa. In addition, he met with church leaders in Jerusalem and is reportedly planning to meet with several leading businesspeople, including Palestinian Americans. All of this might suggest a political change of heart. But not so fast. In Taybeh, Huckabee emphasized that his role as ambassador is to ensure the well-being of all Americans living in Israel. His Palestinian hosts quickly reminded him that the West Bank is not part of Israel — despite efforts by Israeli extremists to annex it, either directly or indirectly. Moreover, Huckabee's visit to Ramallah, which he preferred not to publicize (and which the US Embassy did not officially announce), produced no breakthroughs — no promises to follow up, no political horizon for Palestinians and no initiatives to revive the near-bankrupt Palestinian Authority. The PA's financial crisis is due in large part to the illegal actions of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is withholding nearly $2 billion in Palestinian tax and customs revenues. Once back in Israel, Huckabee reverted to his ideological roots. Responding to French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that Paris would recognize Palestine during this year's UN General Assembly session, Huckabee showed his true colors. The Christian Zionist ideologue called the French position 'incredibly inappropriate.' Mike Huckabee's visit to Taybeh prompted a surprisingly strong statement, in which he labeled the settler attacks as acts of 'terrorism'. Daoud Kuttab 'If France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state, I've got a suggestion for them: carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state. They're welcome to do that,' Huckabee said. 'But they're not welcome to impose that kind of pressure on a sovereign nation.' He concluded that the US would not participate in 'such a ruse.' It is not unusual for politicians to change their tone depending on their audience. But to suggest, even in jest, Palestinian ethnic cleansing — asking France to relocate an entire people — simply because a permanent member of the UN Security Council decided to end a blatant double standard is appalling. The US, which was the first country to recognize Israel in May 1948, continues to repeat its support for a two-state solution. But now, with France and Saudi Arabia this week co-chairing a meeting aimed at advancing that very goal, Washington has pulled back — while its envoy to Israel floats ideas that amount to war crimes. Palestinians and Israelis want to live in peace. If Huckabee, a former pastor, wants to be true to his Christian faith or the values of his democratic country, he has no choice but to support the right of Palestinians to live in their own independent state next to Israel. Support for any other plan is support for apartheid and a grave violation of international law.
Politico
a day ago
- Politics
- Politico
Huckabee says there's ‘no break' between US and Israel following Trump Gaza comments
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on March 25, 2025, in Washington. |By Jacob Wendler 07/29/2025 01:31 PM EDT U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee pushed back on the idea that President Donald Trump has broken with Israel's government in calling out the humanitarian crisis in Gaza on Tuesday, adding that he remains close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'Let me assure you that there is no break between the prime minister of Israel and the president,' Huckabee said in a Tuesday interview with Fox News. 'Their relationship, I think, [is] stronger than it's ever been, and I think the relationship between the U.S. and Israel is as strong as it's ever been.' The comments come after Trump said Monday that there is 'real starvation' in Gaza, contradicting Netanyahu's denial of a hunger crisis in the war-torn region. A United Nations-backed report warned this week that a 'worst-case scenario of famine' is playing out in Gaza.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee slams UN, NYT over Gaza aid chaos
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Sunday blamed the United Nations, The New York Times and Hamas for what he described as the 'complete balagan' (Hebrew for chaos) surrounding the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza. 'Are the UN, NY Times, and Hamas all happy now? I'm sure Hamas is,' Huckabee wrote on X. 'Their lies and propaganda destroyed the cease-fire deal, tried to discredit the safe and functioning GHF effort, emboldened Hamas, and resulted in this complete balagan! Saddest of all, hostage families are left with prolonged grief.' Advertisement Huckabee's comments tap into growing frustration among Israeli officials, who claim that accusations targeting Israel and the American Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) endanger ongoing aid efforts and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 6 Humanitarian aid is airdropped to Palestinians over Gaza City. AP 6 People walk with sacks of flour delivered after trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered northern Gaza on July 27. AFP via Getty Images The debate intensified as social media footage and commentary circulated showing U.N.-led aid convoys exposing civilians to danger, while American-managed distribution centers reportedly remained secure. Advertisement Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir amplified the criticism, declaring, 'The 'humanitarian' aid equals sustaining the enemy. Prime minister, stop spitting in the face of our fighters!' The Israel Defense Forces released detailed statements and videos on Sunday defending their coordination of aid. 'Israel is not blocking humanitarian aid. We are facilitating its entry every single day,' said IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, speaking from the Kerem Shalom Crossing. He cited the transfer of over 250 trucks of aid into Gaza during the past week, and described new airdrops and 'humanitarian pauses' established to allow aid into both northern and southern Gaza. Military authorities also emphasized ongoing cooperation with the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, adding that 28 airdropped packages were delivered on Sunday alone to 'refute the false claims of deliberate starvation in Gaza.' 6 John Ratcliffe and Mike Huckabee at a White House dinner. AL DRAGO/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock Advertisement 6 Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir amplified the criticism, declaring, 'The 'humanitarian' aid equals sustaining the enemy. MOHAMMED SABER/EPA/Shutterstock More than 120 aid trucks were collected and distributed across Gaza on Sunday by the U.N. and international relief groups, according to a Monday update from COGAT, Israel's military body responsible for coordinating humanitarian needs in the region. COGAT reported that an additional 180 trucks entered Gaza on Sunday and were awaiting collection for distribution, joining hundreds more that remain in queues for U.N. pickup. The agency emphasized that sustained and efficient collection efforts by U.N. agencies and aid organizations are crucial for increasing the flow of life-saving assistance to those most in need in Gaza. Meanwhile, the GHF distributed more than 20,000 food aid boxes at three sites, along with new pilot shipments of fresh vegetables. Visiting Kerem Shalom on Sunday, GHF interim executive director John Acree praised the dedication of aid teams and urged all organizations to 'help the people of Gaza or make way for those who will,' insisting that this was no time for 'politics with people's lives.' Advertisement GHF claims nearly 95 million meals have been distributed to date. According to reports, operations on Sunday proceeded smoothly with robust security at all distribution centers. 6 People carrying sacks of flour, humanitarian aid in Gaza. AFP via Getty Images 6 More than 120 aid trucks were collected and distributed across Gaza on Sunday by the U.N. and international relief groups, according to a Monday update from COGAT. AFP via Getty Images Yisrael Beitenu lawmaker Evgeny Sova told JNS on Sunday that Israel should make clear to the United States, Qatar, Egypt and European countries that it seeks to end the war soon and hand over responsibility for Gaza to them. 'The meaning of the move is that Israel will not allow its territory to be used to deliver any aid. Israel will not provide anything to the Strip, and will maintain freedom of military action even after the conflict ends,' he said. 'If they feel responsible for the Gazans, then the pressure must be on Hamas and not on Israel,' he continued. 'The IDF is hardly maneuvering in the Strip—it's carrying out policing missions—while the enemy continues to receive all the aid it needs. This is absurd.'
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israeli settlers torch cars, vandalise property in Taybeh attack
Israeli settlers torched two vehicles and spray-painted racist graffiti in the majority Christian-Palestinian village of Taybeh in the occupied West Bank early on Monday morning. According to Anadolu Agency, one of the homes belonged to a Christian-Palestinian journalist and the other to a village council member. There are no reports of settler arrests, which are rare occurrences amid near-daily settler attacks occurring across the West Bank. Settler attacks in Taybeh have increased in recent weeks, attracting concern from Western leaders and religious figures. A visit to Taybeh from a delegation of Christian leaders and European diplomats on 14 July was followed by a visit from US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on 19 July. He condemned the attacks as "unacceptable". "To commit an act of sacrilege by desecrating a place that is supposed to be a place of worship, it is an act of terror, and it is a crime," said Hukabee in a statement.
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
US envoy blames UN, media and Hamas for Gaza chaos and failed truce
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has accused the United Nations, The New York Times, and Hamas of spreading 'lies and propaganda' to undermine aid operations and destabilise Gaza. Huckabee, a staunch supporter of Israel and an evangelical preacher, made the remarks in response to footage showing desperate Palestinians climbing onto an aid truck. 'Is the UN, NY Times, and Hamas all happy now?' he asked in a social media post. 'I'm sure Hamas is. Their lies and propaganda destroyed the ceasefire deal, tried to discredit safe and functioning GHF effort, emboldened Hamas and will result in this complete balagan [chaos]! Most sad for hostage families—grief prolonged.' His comments come as international experts continue to blame Israel's near-total blockade of food and supplies for the collapse of civil order and widespread hunger in Gaza.
