**Trump Nominates Mike Huckabee as US Ambassador to Israel**

In a significant move, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and Trump’s onetime rival in the 2016 Republican primary, to serve as the United States ambassador to Israel. Trump made the announcement on Tuesday through his TruthSocial platform, where he described Huckabee as a "Highly Respected" leader with a deep affinity for Israel.

Huckabee’s history in politics includes his tenure as Arkansas governor from 1996 to 2007, as well as two bids for the presidency during the Republican primary campaigns in 2008 and 2016. The nomination comes at a time when Huckabee's daughter, Sarah Huckabee-Sanders, holds the position of Governor of Arkansas and was previously the press secretary for part of Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2019.

In his announcement, Trump highlighted Huckabee’s dedication to public service and his longstanding support for Israel. "Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him," Trump's statement read. "Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!"

Huckabee, a prominent Evangelical Christian, ties his religious beliefs closely to his policy views on Israel. He has repeatedly stated his position that the West Bank is biblically Israeli territory and rejects the use of terms like "occupation" and "settlements." In an interview with CNN in 2017, Huckabee said, "There are certain words I refuse to use. There is no such thing as a West Bank. It's Judea and Samaria."

Trump’s nomination of Huckabee signals a strong pro-Israel stance in his forthcoming administration, potentially going beyond the policies of current President Joe Biden. Biden had reinstated a policy terming Israeli settlements "illegitimate," a stance that contrasts with Trump’s earlier positions during his first term. Last week, Israel appointed Yechiel Leiter, a known supporter of settlements in the West Bank, as ambassador to the US, indicating mutual readiness for aligned policies.

Furthermore, Trump appointed Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a staunch supporter of Israel who made headlines earlier this year during congressional hearings on pro-Palestinian protests, as the UN ambassador. Speculations also suggest that Florida Senator Marco Rubio, known for his hawkish views on Gaza, might be selected as Secretary of State.

In his previous term, Trump took bold steps like relocating the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing the annexation of the Golan Heights. Despite these moves, Trump garnered some support from Arab Americans during visits to Michigan, where he promised peace in the Middle East. As Israeli politicians like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich anticipate Trump's recognition of West Bank annexation, Huckabee’s nomination underscores a clear continuation of robust support for Israel in Trump’s forthcoming administration.