Trump pick for Israel envoy says Iran-backed groups must be eliminated

Mike Huckabee looks on as Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump reacts during a campaign event at the Drexelbrook Catering and Event Center, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 29, 2024.
Mike Huckabee looks on as Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump reacts during a campaign event at the Drexelbrook Catering and Event Center, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 29, 2024.

The incoming US administration will not seek talks but rather the total destruction of Iran-backed armed groups Hezbollah and Hamas, US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel said on Monday.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's remarks foreshadow a harsh new policy toward the United States and Israel's shared adversaries in the likely event of his confirmation.

"They need to be suffocated and ended. There's no peace in that region until these terror groups funded by Iran are completely eliminated" Huckabee, a longtime staunch backer of the Jewish state, told Fox News in an interview.

"Why would we in any way pretend that they are going to be capable of sitting down at the table, having Kool-Aid with us and somehow we're all going to get along, toast marshmallows and sing kumbaya?" the outspoken evangelical Christian politician and broadcaster added.

"Ain't going to happen. They've got to be eliminated."

Huckabee in previous statements has said there is no such thing as an Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

In a statement, President Trump hailed Huckabee's standing among Israelis: "He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!"

Huckabee added on Monday that the current policies of President Joe Biden are harsher on US ally Israel than their Mideast allies, foremost among them Iran.

"What we've had is a schizophrenic policy toward Israel. We've put far more pressure with Joe Biden on Israel than we have on Hamas, Hezbollah, and most importantly, the people who write those checks, the Iranians."