United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee presented his credentials last week to Israel’s President, Yitzchak Herzog, and immediately demonstrated why he is the right person for this vital position at this critical time. It is true that Ambassador Huckabee has visited Israel more than 100 times, in his capacity as a Baptist preacher leading his congregation and as a politician accompanying his constituents, but even more importantly, he understands Israel, its uniqueness, its role in history, its abiding friendship with the United States, and its challenges.
Huckabee declared at the reception that he returns to Israel with “absolute joy and an overwhelming sense of awe that I am in a land where G-d Himself said, ‘This is mine, and these are My people.’” Such sentiments are not often expressed in Israel and not articulated often enough by Jews but they provide the foundation for defining the rightful place of the State of Israel, its reason for existence, and even the relentless antagonism of its enemies. The land of Israel was not only the land of the Bible in ancient times; it remains the land of the Bible and awaits the fulfillment of the prophetic vision of the future. Perceived through that prism, Israel’s struggles against implacable foes take on a new light that is visible only to someone who shares Ambassador Huckabee’s perspective.
Indeed, it is hard to imagine another ambassador having visited the country to which he was posted 100 times before assuming the role. It means that Huckabee’s commitment to Israel’s security stems from his correct understanding of America’s place in the world and its capacity to foster good and promote peace and prosperity.
So, what should be on Ambassador Huckabee’s agenda, especially mindful that he is the U.S. Ambassador who should advance American interests in the region?
The Ambassador has been outspoken in recent years as to the non-viability of a Palestinian state in the land of Israel, now rendered especially incongruous and perilous in light of the Hamas massacre of October 7, the ongoing war, and the Palestinian Authority’s reluctance to condemn that war. As ambassador, he can thwart the subtle encroachment towards a Palestinian state favored by Europe and some elements in the United States by reiterating a number of steps taken during the first Trump administration. He can again shutter the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs (OPA), located on Agron Street in the western part of Jerusalem, which was revived by the Biden administration in violation of U.S. and Israeli law and functioned as a quasi-diplomatic mission to the Palestinians. During the first Trump term, this office was closed, and its services provided out of the American embassy in Jerusalem to which it reported directly.
The OPA as currently constituted is an affront to Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem. Ambassador Huckabee, together with Israel’s Foreign Ministry, can use his good offices to limit or halt the activities of the several European consulates that are located in Jerusalem and operate as missions to the Palestinian Authority in defiance of Israeli and international law. The ambassador can persuade, and certainly the U.S. government can act, to support Israel’s closure of these hostile outposts in the heart of Jerusalem.
<div id="attachment_914553" style="width: 840px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-914553" class="size-large wp-image-914553" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2206862784-830x576.jpg" alt="WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 25: Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel, testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on March 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Huckabee, the former governor and presidential candidate, answered questions on Israel and its campaign against Hamas. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)" width="830" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2206862784-830x576.jpg 830w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2206862784-300x208.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2206862784-768x533.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/GettyImages-2206862784.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px" />Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images</div>
The Ambassador can urge the State Department to finally designate “Jerusalem, Israel” as an official place of birth on American passports. The State Department has long embraced the chimera that Jerusalem’s status as part of Israel — as Israel’s capital, no less — is somehow still subject to the outcome of negotiations. This policy should be repudiated and U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem who so desire should have their place of birth recorded as “Jerusalem, Israel.”
Ambassador Huckabee should also encourage the Trump administration to follow through on its temporary suspension of funding to UNRWA and make that suspension permanent. UNRWA, although barred by Israeli law from operating in Jerusalem, still maneuvers behind the scenes, controlling schools and in some cases economic development while advancing the interests of Hamas, with which it was integrally linked during the Gaza War. Cutting aid and resigning from UNESCO, another UN organization that is antagonistic to Israel and the United States, is also an American interest.
Additionally, for many decades under Democratic administrations, any type of residential or commercial building in Jerusalem by Jews – not by Arabs – drew immediate condemnations from the State Department. This too must end, and the ambassador is well positioned, as is President Trump, a real estate mogul, to take the lead in supporting Israel’s plans to construct new neighborhoods in Jerusalem and even to explore the expansion of Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries to encompass satellite towns on its periphery.
To his great credit, President Trump has appointed two distinguished emissaries to Israel – David Friedman in his first term and Mike Huckabee in his current term. A person of faith, such as Ambassador Huckabee, deeply understands the centrality of Israel in the narrative of world history. But this ambassador also deeply understands the Israel of the future, and the pivotal role played by the city of Jerusalem, and even more how a secure and prosperous Israel will strengthen the United States and bring the world closer to the vision of peace on earth.
* * *
Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, Esq., is Senior Research Associate at the Jerusalem Center for Applied Policy (JCAP.ngo).
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

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President-elect Donald Trump nominated former football star Herschel Walker to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Trump made the announcement Tuesday night on social media where he highlighted some of what Walker has done outside of football.
&#8220;Herschel has spent decades serving as an Ambassador to our Nation’s youth, our men and women in the Military, and athletes at home and abroad,&#8221; Trump said.
&#8220;A successful businessman, philanthropist, former Heisman Trophy winner, and NFL Great, Herschel has been a tireless advocate for youth sports,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;During my First Term, he served as Co-Chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.&#8221;
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Trump said that Walker has traveled to more than 400 military installations around the world to promote removing the stigma surrounding mental health.
&#8220;Congratulations Herschel!&#8221; Trump added. &#8220;You will make Georgia, and our entire Nation, proud, because we know you will always put AMERICA FIRST!&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I am pleased to nominate Herschel Walker as United States Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Herschel has spent decades serving as an Ambassador to our Nation’s youth, our men and women in the Military, and athletes at home and abroad.
A successful businessman,…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrumpDailyPosts/status/1869215084301500785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
The 62-year-old Republican ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia in 2022 and narrowly lost to Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in a runoff after both candidates failed to reach the 50% threshold in the first round of voting.
Walker won the Heisman Trophy at the University of Georgia, where he starred as a running back from 1980 through 1982, helping the team rack up a 34-5 record and win two national championships.
He played 13 seasons in the NFL, including seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.

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President-elect <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a> announced three new appointments for ambassadorships on Tuesday night as he continues to fill out key roles for his incoming administration.
Trump appointed Kimberly Guilfoyle to serve as the United States Ambassador to Greece.
&#8220;For many years, Kimberly has been a close friend and ally,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad.&#8221;
He added, &#8220;Kimberly is perfectly suited to foster strong bilateral relations with Greece, advancing our interests on issues ranging from defense cooperation to trade and economic innovation.&#8221;
Guilfoyle said in a statement that she was honored to accept the nomination and that she looked forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate.
&#8220;President Trump’s historic victory is bringing hope and optimism to the American people and to freedom-loving allies across the world,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It was the democratic values born in Greece that helped shape the founding of America.&#8221;
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&#8220;And now, we have an opportunity to honor that history by bringing better days here at home and abroad,&#8221; she added. &#8220;As ambassador, I look forward to delivering on the Trump agenda, supporting our Greek allies, and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I’m honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate.
President Trump’s historic victory is bringing hope and optimism to the American people and to freedom-loving allies across… <a href="https://t.co/ThyyDwOTNk">pic.twitter.com/ThyyDwOTNk</a>
— Kimberly Guilfoyle (@kimguilfoyle) <a href="https://twitter.com/kimguilfoyle/status/1866623893017927923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
Trump also nominated private equity real estate investor Tom Barrack to serve at the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey.
&#8220;For three decades, Tom successfully managed a global private equity firm,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;He is a well respected and experienced voice of reason to a wide range of thought leaders in both political and business circles.&#8221;
&#8220;Tom was born and raised in Southern California, and earned a BA and JD from the University of Southern California and University of San Diego where he was a member of Law Review,&#8221; Trump added. &#8220;Congratulations Tom!&#8221;
Trump also announced that he nominated Ronald Johnson, who served as Trump&#8217;s Ambassador to El Salvador during his first term in office, to serve in his second term as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.
&#8220;Ron will work closely with our great Secretary of State Nominee, Marco Rubio, to promote our Nation’s security and prosperity through strong America First Foreign Policies,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;He also served our Country for over twenty years with the Central Intelligence Agency after a distinguished career in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret.&#8221;
&#8220;He graduated from the National Intelligence University with a Master of Strategic Intelligence,&#8221; Trump added. &#8220;Congratulations Ron. Together, we will put an end to migrant crime, stop the illegal flow of Fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into our Country and, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!&#8221;

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President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday night that he nominated former U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) as the next U.S. ambassador to communist China.
&#8220;As a Fortune 500 CEO, who had a 40-year International business career, and served in the U.S. Senate, David brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China,&#8221; Trump said in a statement. &#8220;He will be instrumental in implementing my strategy to maintain Peace in the region, and a productive working relationship with China’s leaders.&#8221;
Perdue has lived in Hong Kong and Singapore and has spent much of his career working in Asia, including China.
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&#8220;In the U.S. Senate, he served on the Armed Services Committee, where he was Chair of the powerful Sea Power Subcommittee,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;He also served on the Foreign Relations Committee, the only Republican to serve on both Committees.&#8221;
Perdue responded to the nomination in a post on X, saying he was honored and appreciated the opportunity to serve.
&#8220;I am truly honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to become the next US Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China,&#8221; Perdue said. &#8220;Having lived in Asia on two occasions, I understand the gravity of this responsibility and look forward to implementing President Trump’s strategy to make the world safe again and to represent the United States’ interests in China.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I am truly honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to become the next US Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. Having lived in Asia on two occasions, I understand the gravity of this responsibility and look forward to implementing President Trump’s strategy to make… <a href="https://t.co/p0AxaZHQOj">pic.twitter.com/p0AxaZHQOj</a>
— David Perdue (@DavidPerdueGA) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidPerdueGA/status/1864873443927171385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote>

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President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly offered Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) the position of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
&#8220;I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/11/10/us-news/trump-offers-rep-elise-stefanik-ambassador-to-united-nations-post-report/">said</a> in a statement. &#8220;Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter.&#8221;
Stefanik, who is the chair of the House Republican Conference, made noise earlier this year when her intense questioning during hearings on anti-Semitism on college campuses forced two Ivy League presidents to resign their posts.
Stefanik accepted the offer, telling the New York Post: “I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.”
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“During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate,” she continued. “President Trump’s historic landslide election has given hope to the American people and is a reminder that brighter days are ahead — both at home and abroad.”
“America continues to be the beacon of the world, but we expect and must demand that our friends and allies be strong partners in the peace we seek,” she added.
She said that the incoming administration had an &#8220;immense&#8221; amount of work to reverse the devastation that has been caused by four years of President Joe Biden leading the country, which she said “significantly weakened our national security and diminished our standing in the eyes of both allies and adversaries.”
&#8220;I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s restoration of America First peace through strength leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations,&#8221; she concluded.

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President Biden’s ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis, ignoring the fact that the kingdom hosts the leadership of the terrorist group Hamas, saluted the kingdom of Qatar and insisted it had a great 2023, despite the fact that the Israeli hostages in Gaza have been held at the mercy of Hamas.
Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Moussa Abu Marzuk, and Khaled Mashal all live comfortably in Doha, Qatar’s capital, where they maintain an office and where they celebrated the widespread massacre of Israeli Jews on October 7.
“As U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, I consider myself the most fortunate U.S. Ambassador in the world,” Davis tweeted. “The U.S.-Qatar partnership could not be stronger, and Qatar could not have done more than it did in 2023 to play an indispensable role on the world stage. To all Qatari citizens and residents, congratulations on Qatar National Day!”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
As U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, I consider myself the most fortunate U.S. Ambassador in the world. The U.S.-Qatar partnership could not be stronger, and Qatar could not have done more than it did in 2023 to play an indispensable role on the world stage. To all Qatari citizens and… <a href="https://t.co/UoO5QEegvc">pic.twitter.com/UoO5QEegvc</a>
&mdash; Ambassador Timmy Davis (@USAmbQatar) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbQatar/status/1736602394295706017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
At the end of November 2023, the Biden administration’s State Department announced a $1 billion arms sale to Qatar, despite the Arab nation&#8217;s strong ties to groups the United States had listed as terrorist organizations.
Earlier that month, The Times of Israel <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/qatars-regional-role-as-a-mediator-between-west-and-middle-east/">noted</a> that three neighboring countries, along with Egypt, severed ties with Doha in 2017, accusing it of financing terrorism.
Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2017 <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-115hhrg26427/html/CHRG-115hhrg26427.htm">accused</a> Qatar of funding U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, as well as several extremist groups operating in Syria.
&#8220;Qatar has openly housed Hamas leaders, Taliban leaders, and has several individuals who have been sanctioned by our U.S. Treasury Department, and it has failed to prosecute them,&#8221; former Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) said during testimony. &#8220;At least one high-ranking Qatari official provided support to the mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks against our country, Khalid Sheikh Mohammad.&#8221;
“Many individuals and charities in Qatar have been known to raise large sums of money for al-Qaeda, the Nusra Front, Hamas, and even ISIS,&#8221; Ros-Lehtinen said. &#8220;In Qatar, there are three buckets: Terror financing by the government; terror financing done in Qatar through their own citizens that their government may not know about; and terror financing in Qatar that the government knows about but does nothing to stop.”

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