Ambassador Huckabee reflects on Israel following ceasefire
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Ambassador Mike Huckabee speaks with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in May at an airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: Alex Brandon/Pool-Getty Images
U.S. ambassador to Israel and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee told Axios that Israel is "relatively calm," with the current ceasefire holding and rocket fire paused.
The big picture: It's one of the most optimistic assessments from a U.S. official since Israel's recent conflicts with militant Palestinian group Hamas and Iran began, but peace remains fragile.
Driving the news: Huckabee spoke with Axios Northwest Arkansas by phone while he was in the state to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and attend a 75th anniversary event for the Governor's Mansion in Little Rock.
- The 44th governor of Arkansas and father of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders made his first trip back to the state since beginning his role as ambassador earlier this year.
State of play: Huckabee said the remaining violence is "isolated," comparing it to episodic crime in areas of major U.S. cities.
- He noted that Hamas released all American hostages.
- The latest: As of Wednesday, the group had returned all but the remains of one deceased hostage, according to Reuters.
The humanitarian effort in Gaza has been "very effective," Huckabee said, and aid continues. "Thousands and thousands of trucks" carrying food, medicine and shelter have entered Gaza since the ceasefire began, he said.
- Areas controlled by Hamas are "a fairly good size" of Gaza, and areas not controlled by Hamas are where most of the humanitarian aid is available, he said.
Reality check: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency recently accused Israel of limiting the flow of aid to Gaza, and the BBC reported this week that it has taken more than a year for tents to reach the region, noting that 1.5 million people there need shelter ahead of winter.
Behind the scenes: Huckabee said he's served in Israel for less than a year but has already experienced several bombing raids where he's sought shelter. He described a massive U.S. evacuation effort during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June.
- "We evacuated half the embassy staff … using cruise ships to Cyprus and taking people over land to Amman, Jordan, to catch flights."
- He said the U.S. mission in Israel — with 1,500 personnel — is "one of the largest embassies in the world."
Friction point: During the conversation, Huckabee confirmed to Axios that he'd met with spy Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted of giving Israel classified documents in the mid-1980s. The New York Times reported the meeting took place in July.
- "It was a courtesy meeting, as I recall. It was at the request of someone who asked me, would I … be willing to meet with them."
What we're watching: U.S. policy isn't different than it was in President Trump's first term, which is "this is an issue that has to be decided by both Israelis and Palestinians over the course of time," Huckabee said.
- "There's nothing immediately on the horizon to declare a Palestinian state," he said.