Mike Huckabee vows to carry out Trump’s Israel policies in protest-ridden confirmation hearing

Interrupted three times by shrieking far-left, anti-Israel protesters, the designated U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, appeared unfazed by the critical questions from senators during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

Ahead of the hearing, a central criticism raised by many left-wing Jewish groups focused on Huckabee’s statements in support of Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria, along with comments suggesting he does not believe in a two-state solution.

Huckabee responded by pointing out that it would be his job to implement policies set by U.S. President Donald Trump, not his personal views.

“The Founders recognized that Senate approval was not necessarily Senate agreement with the president, his policies, or even with those he selected to represent him; but the Senate affirms that those nominated be thoroughly examined to determine moral and legal fitness to serve,” Huckabee argued.

“I’m not here to articulate or even defend my own views or policies, but rather to present myself as one who will respect and represent the overwhelmingly elected president,” said Huckabee, a member of the ALL ISRAEL NEWS Advisory Board.

Question: Have you previously supported the annexation of the West Bank?

Mike Huckabee: I have previously supported it yes sir, Judea and Samaria, yes sir, but it would not be my prerogative to make that the policy of the president. pic.twitter.com/vp3pufQDrH

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) March 25, 2025

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) asked Huckabee whether he supported the Israeli annexation of the “West Bank” in the past. “I have previously supported it, yes sir, Judea and Samaria, but it would not be my prerogative to make that the policy of the president,” he replied.

Challenged over his skepticism of a two-state solution, Huckabee said it was a “great tragedy” that the Palestinian Authority (PA) was quashing hopes for a peaceful solution by preventing democracy.

Huckabee on why peace with the Palestinians is difficult

“Compensation is given to those who murder Jews, parks and streets are named for those who do it, pensions are given to families of those who are killed in the line of killing Jews... that’s a difficult pathway to peace." pic.twitter.com/LXCuiRClWr

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) March 25, 2025

“[PA President Mahmoud] Abbas is now in the 20th year of his four-year term,” Huckabee noted. He added that in the PA, “compensation is given to those who murder Jews, parks and streets are named for those who do it, pensions are given to families of those who are killed in the line of killing Jews, that’s a difficult pathway to peace.”

“The notion that everyone is going to live together, toast marshmallows around the campfire, singing Kumbaya… is not going to happen in our lifetime if one of the sides believes the other one doesn’t have a right to exist,” said Huckabee.

A shrieking woman interrupted Mike Huckabee in his confirmation hearing for U.S. Ambassador to Israel before he was able to get a full sentence out in his opening remarks.

"I will mark them down undecided, Senator," Huckabee joked. pic.twitter.com/PbtCsnNwjn

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) March 25, 2025

The former Arkansas governor went on to explain why he believes the United States should continue defending Israel.

“As expressed by the Iranian government, Israel is the appetizer and we are the entrée,” he said. “This is not just about Israel. It is about us, and if we don’t stand with them, they stand alone. And if they fall alone, we fall next.”

“There is no country across the globe that more mirrors our own struggle and our own level of democracy than does the State of Israel,” Huckabee continued.

“We are ultimately people of the book. We believe the Bible,” he added. “That connection is not geopolitical. It is also spiritual.”

“I stand here today grateful to God for His grace and goodness; and it is the only explanation for my being here. I would say the same for the nation that I’ve been nominated to deploy to.”

At a White House meeting for Trump’s ambassadorial nominees later on Tuesday, Huckabee said he hoped to arrive in Israel by Passover, which begins on April 12, if the nomination goes through.

“Mike is going to do wonders for Israel. He actually probably gets along with both sides. That’ll be interesting to see. The world is watching you, Mike, so good luck,” Trump stated.