Mike Huckabee, Trump's pick to be Israel ambassador, will face senators as war in Gaza restarts

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee gestures as a campaign event at the Drexelbrook Catering & Event Center on Oct. 29, 2024 in Drexel Hill, Pa. Credit: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
President Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel will face a confirmation hearing Tuesday on Capitol Hill as U.S. and Arab mediators struggle to get a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas back on track after Israeli forces resumed the war in Gaza last week with a surprise wave of deadly airstrikes.
Trump nominated Mike Huckabee, a well-known evangelical Christian and vehement supporter of Israel, to take on the critical post in Jerusalem days after he won reelection on a campaign promise to end the now 17-month war.
If Huckabee, a Republican, is confirmed by the Senate, his posting will likely complicate an already unstable situation in the Middle East as the former governor of Arkansas has taken stances on the conflict that sharply contradict longstanding U.S. policy in the region.

Mixed reactions after U.S. attacks Venezuela Both anger and happiness were felt as many, including LI Venezuelans, reacted to the U.S.-led ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger has more.