Friend and frank critic: Huckabee on Israel, Gaza, and why Iran may need a 'third kick of the mule'
DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS: Preparing to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at the Museum of Tolerance, Huckabee says settler violence is hurting the Jewish state's reputation stateside.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and his team visited the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem ahead of the embassy's Independence Day celebrations. This year's event marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, a milestone Huckabee believes holds special significance, as the US shares a "Judeo-Christian foundation" with Israel.
The ambassador, a strong supporter of Israel, expressed his belief that the US and Israel share a unique bond, with the former stemming from their shared Judeo-Christian roots and the latter benefiting from US support in intelligence, military hardware, technology, and counterterrorism.
Huckabee acknowledged that violence is never acceptable, regardless of who commits it. He condemned the violence perpetrated by Israeli citizens against Palestinians in the West Bank, while also acknowledging that these acts are committed by a "very tiny minority" of Israelis living in Judea and Samaria. The ambassador emphasized that Israelis have a right to build in Area C under the Oslo Accords, but he stressed that this right must come with a responsibility to create communities where people can live peacefully.
Concerned about the rising violence, Huckabee expressed hope that the recent arrest warrants issued against several perpetrators would set a precedent, discouraging further bad behavior. He also highlighted the importance of consequences for antisemitic actions, encouraging those who claim religious beliefs to refrain from violating fundamental tenets of the Torah.
The ambassador emphasized that the recent images of disruptive, baton-wielding individuals attacking Palestinian families and international journalists were harming Israel's reputation, particularly within the Republican Party.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
