Trump’s Ambassador to Israel Says the Oct 7th Attack ‘Decimated’ Desire For a Palestinian State
Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, spoke to Al Arabiya’s Melinda Nucifora this week and confirmed to the Saudi state TV news network that the establishment of a Palestinian state is not a priority for the Trump administration.
“In a recent interview, you said that you don’t think a Palestinian state remains a goal for the US. Can you elaborate on that?” Nucifora asked.
“Yeah, I’m not seeing anyone—certainly haven’t heard the president say that this is one of the most important things we’ve got to look for. I think he wants to see peace happen here. There are certain things that can be done that would be helpful toward peace,” Huckabee replied, adding:
Unfortunately, every time we think we’re working toward them and getting there, we see actions by the Europeans or the Palestinian Authority that completely disrupt it. And a good example is the Palestinian Authority has pushed for the unilateral recognition. It’s had a backfiring effect. They continue to pay terrorist families for acts of terror against Israelis.
That’s counterproductive. It’s very, very destructive toward resolving anything. And the textbooks continue to have curriculum that encourages very young children to grow up with a hatred toward Jewish people and a sense of belief that it is okay to commit violence against them if it helps to achieve their goals. These are all things that are not helpful to a long-term solution, whether it’s a two-state or a one-state or a 10-state solution. That kind of activity has just been very hurtful.
Huckabee was also pressed on whether or not a two-state solution is dead.
“No one can explain exactly how it works. Where is the Palestinian state? What are the boundaries? What are the borders? Who leads it? Who governs it? Who elects their officials? Do they come into power by an election?” Huckabee replied, adding:
They haven’t had one in 20 years in the current configuration of their government. And so it’s an aspirational thing to say we want a two-state solution. But if you ask specific questions, people can’t answer them. And I just feel like that there’s got to be some specifics put on the table for there to be any honest and realistic discussion of what a Palestinian state would look like.
“And quite frankly, in Israel right now, there’s no appetite for it. October the 7th was a turning point. There were many Israelis who believed and they spoke of their support for a two-state solution. But that pretty much was decimated by October the 7th. And it created an extraordinary sense of angst among Israeli citizens who saw the attack coming from the West. They don’t want to end up with one coming from the East. And so they’re going to put their security and their future first and foremost,” he added.
Watch the clip above.
