Mike Huckabee confirmed by Senate as first-ever devout Evangelical to serve as US ambassador to Israel
Praise pours in from across Israeli political spectrum
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – Lynn and I and our colleagues at ALL ISRAEL NEWS and The Joshua Fund are absolutely thrilled by the news that the U.S. Senate yesterday finally voted to confirm former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to be the next American ambassador to Israel.
Huckabee and his wife, Janet, are expected to arrive in Jerusalem as early as next week to take up the post.
David Milstein, who served as an aide to David Friedman, the previous Trump ambassador to Israel from 2017 to 2020, will serve as a senior advisor to Huckabee.
After months of bitter, brutal and bigoted attacks by left-wing Muslim and Jewish groups trying to nuke his nomination – often on the grounds that he’s an Evangelical Christian Zionist – the final vote was 53 to 46.
John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote in favor.
ISRAELI LEADERS ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM PRAISE HUCKABEE’S CONFIRMATION
Israeli leaders from across the ideological spectrum – right, center and left – were quick to praise the confirmation.
“Congratulations to my dear friend @GovMikeHuckabee upon being confirmed as the next ambassador of the United States to Israel,” wrote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 𝕏. “This is a great day for the Israeli-American alliance.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 9, 2025
Congratulations to my dear friend @GovMikeHuckabee upon being confirmed as the next ambassador of the United States to Israel. This is a great day for the Israeli - American alliance.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar wrote, “Just spoke with @GovMikeHuckabee and congratulated him upon his confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. He is a true friend of the Jewish state and I look forward to working together to further strengthen the unbreakable bond between our nations!”
Just spoke with @GovMikeHuckabee and congratulated him upon his confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. He is a true friend of the Jewish state and I look forward to working together to further strengthen the unbreakable bond between our nations! 🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HOKAn8plVw
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) April 9, 2025
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid wrote: “Congratulations to @GovMikeHuckabee on his confirmation as the next US Ambassador to Israel. Mike is one of Israel’s best and most dedicated friends. Good luck Mike!”
Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz wrote: “@GovMikeHuckabee is an unrelenting ally of the State of Israel and champion of the special Israel-US partnership. Congratulations Governor on your bipartisan confirmation as President Trump’s Ambassador to Israel.”
Once and possibly future Prime Minister Naftali Bennett – currently the most popular leader in Israeli politics – wrote, “Congratulations to @GovMikeHuckabee on becoming President Trump’s and America’s Ambassador to Israel. Since I first met Governor Huckabee 15 years ago I’ve seen that Mike’s heart is with us. He’s the best friend that Israel could have. Good luck, my friend!”
FIRST DEVOUT EVANGELICAL EVER TO BECOME AMERICA’S AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL
Evangelical leaders and lay people are equally enthusiastic.
After all, Mike Huckabee himself is a devout Evangelical follower of Jesus Christ, a former Baptist pastor, and one of the most influential pro-Israel voices in the Christian world.
He is a passionate champion of the U.S.-Israel alliance and a fierce defender of Israel against the “avalanche of lies” that he sees coming from the Iranian regime, other hostile world governments, and much of the U.S. and global media.
In addition to hosting the most popular show on TBN – the most-watched Christian television network in the U.S. – Huckabee has served on the ALL ISRAEL NEWS Advisory Board since we established this media platform in 2020.
Congratulations to my friend, @GovMikeHuckabee, on finally being confirmed by the Senate (53-46) to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel — Lynn and I very much look forward to welcoming you and Janet to Jerusalem! @all_israel_news pic.twitter.com/T4uVmRlW2m
— Joel C. Rosenberg (@JoelCRosenberg) April 9, 2025
Huckabee’s confirmation as ambassador sends a powerful message about Trump’s intention to stand solidly and unwaveringly with Israel – and to reject the failed Middle East policies of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, of which Huckabee has been a sharp critic.
His appointment was also an unmistakable sign of how seriously Trump regards the enormous influence of the tens of millions of Evangelical Christians in the United States who deeply love Israel and the Jewish people.
As ALL ISRAEL NEWS reported last fall when the nomination was first announced, this is the first time in history that an American president has chosen an ambassador to Israel who is so openly and unashamedly committed to his love for Jesus Christ and the Bible.
What’s more, Huckabee is the “first non-Jewish ambassador in 16 years,” noted Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East policy advisor to President Bill Clinton, in a message on 𝕏.
HUCKABEE HAS VISITED AND TOURED ISRAEL MORE THAN 100 TIMES
Having traveled to Israel more than 100 times in his lifetime – bringing tour groups of Christians to “walk where Jesus and the apostles and prophets walked” – Huckabee’s most recent visit here was last December as co-host with me of an Evangelical “Solidarity Mission” on behalf of ALL ISRAEL NEWS and The Joshua Fund.
A long-time close friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu, Huckabee and I met with Netanyahu in December, at the Kirya – Israel’s version of the Pentagon – in Tel Aviv.
“I’ve been traveling to Israel for over 50 years – with my first trip being in July of 1973 – and I’ve led thousands of Americans on trips here since 1981,” Huckabee told ALL ISRAEL NEWS at the time.
“I’ve been to Israel several times a year most years and have come here during the Intifada and the 2014 Gaza war to show my solidarity and support. But this trip is perhaps my most important.”
“What happened on October 7th was revolting. And I’m infuriated by how so much of the world and the media are turning against Israel.”
“I came here to say loud and clear that Evangelicals stand with Israel,” Huckabee said. “We believe in the Bible and we are grateful that God made it crystal clear that He loves Israel and the Jewish people and has chosen to bless them.”
“That’s why Evangelicals are praying without ceasing for Israel’s hostages to come home quickly and victory over Israel’s enemies, and why so many Christians are donating millions of dollars to provide urgently needed humanitarian relief for those suffering in this tragic war.”
Joel C. Rosenberg is the editor-in-chief of ALL ISRAEL NEWS and ALL ARAB NEWS and the President and CEO of Near East Media. A New York Times best-selling author, Middle East analyst, and Evangelical leader, he lives in Jerusalem with his wife and sons.
You might also like to read this:
