Mike Huckabee, who was appointed US ambassador to Israel this week by President-elect Donald Trump, gave an interview from the US to Channel 7's Yoni Kempinski, saying that Trump's policy was the most pro-Israeli ever - and that will continue.
The new ambassador is not moved by those who criticize his appointment to the position: "The only negative reactions I've seen have come from people you would expect to react that way - from the extreme left and of course from the media. My past positions and statements, especially regarding the two-state solution, which I believe is illegitimate, have bothered some people on the extreme left.".
""This has been my position for years, and this is also the position that Donald Trump has taken, and I expect him to continue to adhere to it. As an ambassador, you don't do what you want, but you carry out the president's policy. I will implement the policy that he dictates, but we must remember that his policy was the most pro-Israeli of all presidents.".
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One of the things he wants to change is the use of incorrect terminology regarding Judea and Samaria. "I have never agreed to use the term 'West Bank.' There is no such thing. I am talking about 'Judea and Samaria.' I tell people that there is no 'occupation' because this is land that is controlled by the nation that has had a legitimate claim to the place for 3,500 years since the days of Abraham.
""Many of the concepts that the media or people who oppose Israel use are not my concepts. I want to use the real terms like 'the Promised Land' and 'Judea and Samaria.' These are biblical concepts and they are important to me, so I will continue to use them.".
Starting with sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, he said: "This is a decision that Israel must make, not one that the United States will impose on it. Donald Trump will not be the kind of president who wants to dictate to countries how and what to do. He wants to accompany, help, encourage peace efforts, and strengthen partnerships. I want to remind you that there has never been a more pro-Israeli president in history than Trump. From recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, to moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, to recognizing the Golan Heights as sovereign territory of the State of Israel, to not promoting the two-state solution because it is not practical or feasible. Instead, he promoted the Abraham Accords.
""It was painful to see this administration, on the one hand, talking about standing firmly with Israel, and at the same time saying, 'We want to tell Israel how to wage the war.' It was frustrating not only for the Israeli leadership but also for the citizens of Israel. Donald Trump is acting with certainty. His message is clear and his approach will be completely different and will prove that true friendship has meaning.".
