President-elect Trump taps new US ambassador who ‘loves Israel’

US President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he has tapped a new American ambassador to Israel.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee was nominated by Trump, who will be sworn in as the 47th US president on January 20.

“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement.

He added that Huckabee would work “tirelessly” to bring peace to the Middle East.

Huckabee’s daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, is currently the governor of Arkansas. She served as the White House press secretary under Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2019.

Later Tuesday, Trump announced that Steve Witkoff would be his special envoy to the Middle East. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud,” Trump said in a statement.

Witkoff currently serves as the chairman and CEO of Witkoff firm.