Category: Arkansas

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee Appointed As U.S. Ambassador To Israel

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)
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, a former governor and presidential candidate, answered questions on Israel and its campaign against Hamas. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

OAN Staff James Meyers
2:48 PM – Wednesday, April 9, 2025

The Senate on Wednesday announced that former Arkansas GOP Governor Mike Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist pastor, will be President Donald Trump’s U.S. ambassador to Israel.

In a 53-46 vote, the Senate confirmed Huckabee, with Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) being the only Democrat to vote in favor of the nomination. No Republicans opposed Huckabee’s nomination.

Huckabee has been a known vocal supporter of Israel throughout his time in politics, as well as a defender of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Meanwhile, left-wing critics of Huckabee claim that he is “too strong” of a supporter of Israel to represent the United States. Additionally, Senate Democrats are reportedly alarmed by Huckabee’s nomination due to his vocal defense of his view that Israel has the right to annex the West Bank and Gaza Strip — which they fear “could jeopardize the possibility of a two-state solution” to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

On the other hand, supporters of the former governor argue that Huckabee is a great choice for Israel’s U.S. ambassador since he is extremely familiar with Israel and well-versed in the nation’s culture — as he has visited the Jewish State over 100 times.

Trump has not explicitly stated whether or not he supports Israeli annexation, saying earlier this year that he would make a decision within a few weeks. Trump has repeatedly suggested that the U.S. should take over and even “own” the Gaza Strip — while rebuilding the war-torn area.

With the recent confirmation, Huckabee’s upcoming arrival in Israel coincides with one of the most turbulent periods, as both sides have reached an impasse in efforts to reinstate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This visit also comes at a critical moment — as Israel seeks to negotiate the release of hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack.

Last month, the Jewish State restarted military operations against the Islamist terrorist group, with both sides accusing the other of violating the ceasefire agreements.

Nonetheless, the presence of a U.S. ambassador in Israel will be regarded as a pivotal step, especially as Trump prepares to take on high-stakes negotiations with Iran on Saturday regarding its nuclear program.

Senator James E. Risch (R-Idaho), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke in favor of Huckabee’s confirmation on Friday.

“I have no doubt Gov. Huckabee is that person, and he will work alongside President Trump, Secretary of [State Marco] Rubio, and our friends in Israel to bring peace to a turbulent region and ensure both American and Israeli hostages are brought home from the clutches of Hamas,” he said.

Israel is considered the United States’ closest ally and largest single trading partner. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has visited Trump at the White House twice since he took back the presidency.

Arkansas: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Unveils Bill To Block China From Doing Business In And With The State

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (D-AR) speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on February 22, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
11:10 AM – Thursday, February 27, 2025

Arkansas’ Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders unveiled a set of measures on Wednesday aimed at preventing China from conducting business in and with the state.

The law was dubbed the “Communist China Defense Legislative Package” by the governor. The governor claimed that the six legislation in the package, some of which have already been introduced and others that are still pending, target “Communist China influence” in the state.

Sanders stated that 80% of the state’s foreign intelligence cases are based on CCP actions, citing the 60 CCP foreign intelligence investigations conducted in the United States in 2024.

Existing laws will be strengthened by the measures, which will prohibit the CCP from lobbying, lower the time limit for selling a prohibited land holding, and prohibit any Arkansas municipality from having a sister city in China.

“The governor said that any college or university with a Confucius Institute would not receive any state funding, stating that China often uses such institutions to establish intelligence operations,” according to NBC affiliate KARK – Little Rock.

On U.S. college campuses, Confucius Institutes provide courses in Chinese language and culture. Researchers and others have expressed worries about undue influence and other issues since the People’s Republic of China government partners with the schools and partially funds the institutes.

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