Joint Letter to US Senators Regarding Mike Huckabee’s Nomination
April 8, 2025
Dear Senator,
We are writing to express our opposition to the nomination of Governor Mike Huckabee as US Ambassador to Israel. His history of inflammatory rhetoric and ideological extremism renders him unfit for this critical diplomatic role.
Huckabee’s recent assertion that there is "no valid reason to have a cease-fire with Hamas" exemplifies a dangerous disregard for diplomacy and conflict resolution. His position directly undermines efforts to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza, end the war, and lay the groundwork for a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Effective diplomacy requires engagement with all stakeholders, not the blanket rejection of dialogue in favor of absolutist ideology.
Furthermore, Huckabee’s repeated denial of Palestinian identity—claiming that there “isn’t such a thing” as Palestinians—constitutes a historical distortion that risks exacerbating tensions and preventing meaningful diplomatic engagement. His statements and actions, including support for West Bank settlement expansion and advocacy for unilateral Israeli annexation, directly contradict long-standing US policy aimed at fostering a negotiated two-state solution. Given the accelerating violence in the West Bank, such rhetoric and policies heighten the risk of further destabilization. Denying Palestinian claims and national identity is not “pro-Israel”, and instead further entrenches the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Beyond his rhetoric, Huckabee has actively participated in actions that undermine US diplomatic credibility, including laying bricks to build settlements. His advocacy for West Bank settlement expansion, refusal to acknowledge internationally recognized terminology such as “occupation,” and his alignment with Christian nationalism suggest an approach to diplomacy that is driven more by extremist ideologies than US policy. His confirmation would undercut the United States’ historical commitment to impartial diplomacy and regional stability.
The US Ambassador to Israel must engage with complex geopolitical realities, facilitate negotiations in good faith, and advance US strategic interests through responsible statecraft. Huckabee’s record demonstrates an inability to fulfill these duties.
We urge you to oppose his confirmation.
Sincerely,
—
Center for International Policy Advocacy
Foreign Policy for America
Indivisible
New Jewish Narrative
T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights